Zone of Solitude

Pre-Valentine Movie: The Vow

2012-02-15T12:18:00.002+08:00

This post is sort of long overdue. I got the chance to see the movie The Vow over the weekend just before Valentine's day. I was browsing through SM Cinemaa's website and found a synopsis for this film. I found it interesting so I decided to spend time and money to see it.

The movie that starred Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams was inspired by the story of real-life couple Kim and Krickitt Carpenter whose marriage was put to a test when an accident leaves Krickitt in a coma and causes her to have severe memory loss and how Kim tries his best to win her heart again. Prior to watching the film, I had read about their story before when it was published in the book Chicken Soup for the Couple's Soul.

I recommend this movie to people in committed relationships. I even suggested this movie to my married friends because given the fact that marriages seem to be a short-lived thing these days, the story will inspire people on how to strengthen that bond. I might have seen the film by myself but I still was able to learn lessons from it.

One of the Chosen Entries

2012-02-14T22:23:00.000+08:00

Just in case you'll be that lazy to click on the link, I'm re-posting the entry I had submitted to The Background Story's photo essay contest:

My stories have always started with "once upon a time"

for I believed love only exists in fairy tales.

But you came along to write

"and they lived happily ever after" in it.

The Reason Behind the Special V-day

2012-02-14T21:51:00.002+08:00

In the previous post, I scribbled how simple this day went. Only to find out that something wonderful is bound to happen. Which I will narrate here.

For quite a while, I had been following this blog, The Background Story which I first learned from my former supervisor. Over the past week, they announced that they will be having a contest in time for Valentine's Day. The mechanics were just simple. All one has to do is send a photo and caption on the subject Love, how it ends and begins again. And they'll have it featured in their blog if the entry is chosen.

Now, while creating the caption isn't a problem, I am not really a photo enthusiast unlike my younger brother. But I remember one special shot I have kept. And upon knowing that some things are really worth a try, I decided to give it a shot -- a long shot at best, to say the least.

The credits? Complete with my middle initial in it.
To see the other entries, click here

Imagine my surprise when I checked the website tonight. The entry I submitted was among the top five. Just a snippet of information, those were my the wedding rings of my mom and my dad and everything from the lights to the embroidered pillow were improvised and no Photoshop manipulation was even used. For the longest time, I had detached myself to the creative writer that I once was. And I just wanted to test if the magic was still there. I tried to put myself in a certain shoe. I won't deny it; I am waiting for that person who shall write "and they lived happily ever after" in my own situation, which inspired me to come up with the caption.

While there is no monetary prize for joining this contest, the happiness within me is already enough. And it's now that I realized there is a certain reason why I gifted myself with something today.

A Simple Valentine's Day

2012-02-14T21:08:00.001+08:00

My Valentine's Day went to be simple as expected. I left home after lunch to fulfill my promise of returning to Starbucks in the mall near my former office. A week ago, I was invited by the friendly barista to watch a live band perform in their branch. So, date or no date, off I went. I also spent time meeting one of my former office mates, Beth for a chat over ice cream and a mere solemn period in one of my happy places, Fully Booked. I was surprised because I heard their branch play a rather nice version of James Taylor's Everyday. It was then followed by The Script's The Man Who Can't Be Moved which reminded me of one of my friends (Hi, Jeff Z!) as it's one of his favorite group and the song was actually one of my anthems. Funny but I did not leave the store until the song was done playing it (:-p)

I got myself a new journal to take the place of my present one which has a few blank pages left, immersed over a good book, a tall Java Chip Frappuccino and a slice of Oreo cheesecake.

Before I left today, I was able to log in and check for recent developments and as instinct hit me, I found one new comment that needed my approval. And maybe, Valentine's day in a way has some magic in it for I arrived home to another surprise.

Want to know what it is? Please check out the next post :-).

Valentine's Day and an Old E-mail

2012-02-13T18:01:00.004+08:00

I was busy checking and arranging my belongings this morning when I came across an old email entitled Growing With Someone which I have kept in my time capsule (yes, I do have one). It's Valentine's Day tomorrow and while I will be celebrating it by myself (yes, just like the years back), I shall post the content of the email instead.

Years ago, I asked God to give me a spouse. "You don'town because you didn't ask." God said. Not only I asked for a spouse, butalso explained what kind of spouse I wanted.

I want a nice, tender, forgiving, passionate, honest, peaceful,generous, understanding, pleasant, warm, intelligent, humorous, attentive,compassionate and truthful one. I even mentioned the physical characteristics Idreamed about. As time went by, I added the required list of my wanted spouse.One night, in my prayer, God talked to my heart.

“My servant, I cannot give you what you want.”

I asked, “Why God?”

God said, “Because I am God and I am fair. God is the truthand all I do are true and right.”

I asked God, “I don’t understand. Why can’t I have what Iask from you?”

God answered, “I will explain. It is not fair and right forMe to fulfill your demand because I cannot give something that is not your ownself. It is not fair to give someone who is full of love to you if sometimesyou are still hostile; or to give you someone generous but sometimes you can becruel; or someone forgiving, however, you can still hide revenge; someoneunderstanding, however, you are very insensitive.”

He then said to me, “It is better for Me to give you someonewho I know could grow to have all qualities you are searching rather than to makeyou waste your time in finding someone who already have the qualities youwant.”

Your spouse would be bone from your bone and flesh from yourflesh. You will see yourself in him and both of you will be one. Marriage islike school. It is a life-long education. It is where you and your partner makeadjustments and aim not merely to please each other, but to be better humanbeings and to make a solid teamwork. I don’t give you a perfect partner becauseyou are not perfect either. Instead, I would give you a partner with whom youwould grow together.”

What will be your plans for Valentine's Day? I've got mine planned since last week. It won't really be that special but I'd like to think I'm doing this for a change. After all, there's a point when someone said, you need not be a couple to celebrate V-day.

I just hope this rainy weather won't be spoiling the fun.

80 Days, 1771 Calls Later

2012-02-10T20:52:00.001+08:00

I wrote my last email today minutes before I left home. I had to face another episode of abrupt departure -- and it saddens me nonetheless. It was something I had been keeping mum about for almost a month but now that the day came, there is this sharp pain in my heart.

You see, when I got accepted in this job two months ago, I had made up my mind that this is something I want to keep. The job was supposed to be good for three years and I had decided that I would want to stay in the project for that duration. So, this news really left me puzzled and in a way devastated, though I tried my best to hide it.

From Monday up to the last moment, the thought of D-day never sunk into my mind. I remember telling my mom last Monday how I really wanted to stay. The thought of Friday was like waiting to leave home -- balikbayan style.

Dream photo shoot come true :-D

It breaks my heart because I really didn't want to go. It was what I kept telling mom the whole week. I am not prepared to leave. I knew that I had found a place where I'd be okay. Where I'd be happy. Kat and Beth were the representation of what Tita F and Tita V had prayed for for me -- they were wonderful colleagues. The same with M. I may not have shared much conversations with him, and even finding it a bit awkward to talk, but that's not a reason for me to not speak of reputable words.

There are just things, situations and people that are beyond words to describe and deeds where thank you might not be enough.

Now, it's going to be no flowers, no Valentine date and again, no job. But rather than thinking of the first two, I am more concerned of the last one. Losing it is like losing half of myself.

But as painful as it could be, goodbyes are always necessary; and the universe won't dare to care even if you refuse.

For sure, the morning after will not be this easy. Things will linger on.

Chivalry Isn't Dead

2012-02-09T19:20:00.000+08:00

Just before my day at the office ended, this idea crossed my mind. If you were reading my posts, I narrated here the story of how one person surprised my friend at that moment when I was already having these misconceptions that differentiate a man and a woman when it comes to significant occasions.

Today, he was at it again and likewise, I am the witness to this person's simple but sweet gesture. Just hours after we had this pre-birthday celebration for another friend, Beth, he came into our aisle and placed these in her and Kat's desk:

Sweet at nakakakilig ba gusto nyo?

After what I saw today, I wish to believe that yes, chivalrous acts still exists in this modern world. That despite living a modified life, there still are people who knows how to make hearts melt. While I was not the celebrant, I can't help but feel giddy and restrain my lacrimal glands from betraying me. But I told Beth with all honesty that if I were in her place, and I'd be the recipient of his simple but heartwarming deed, I will not hold back those tears -- and just let my heart melt with it.

He might not be that vocal with sending out a greeting during significant occasions but he knows how to make up to it in another way -- which is rather special.

I can't help but agree with what Beth said -- the girl that won him over is really lucky. I can't help but wish that the person I'm waiting for would be just like him too.

One blogger said that you should give a man an "A" for effort when he merits. In this case, I can clearly say he's got the right to claim one.

My Current Anthem

2012-02-06T18:43:00.000+08:00

You and Me

Lifehouse

What day is it? And in what month?
This clock never seemed so alive
I can't keep up and I can't back down
I've been losing so much time

'Cause it's you and me and all of the people with nothing to do
Nothing to lose
And it's you and me and all other people
And I don't know why, I can't keep my eyes off of you

One of the things that I want to say just aren't coming out right
I'm tripping on words
You've got my head spinning
I don't know where to go from here

'Cause it's you and me and all of the people with nothing to do
Nothing to prove
And it's you and me and all other people
And I don't know why, I can't keep my eyes off of you

There's something about you now
I can't quite figure out
Everything she does is beautiful
Everything she does is right

'Cause it's you and me and all of the people with nothing to do
Nothing to lose
And it's you and me and all other people
And I don't know why, I can't keep my eyes off of you
and me and all other people with nothing to do
Nothing ton, prove
And it's you and me and all other people
And I don't know why, I can't keep my eyes off of you

What day is it?
And in what month?
This clock never seemed so alive

It started Saturday night while I was watching a program on TV. and up until now, this song, You and Me from the American band Lifehouse has been ringing in my head.

Just like the story, I found this song to be somewhat special and powerful; to which my realizations would be found in a separate post.

Decoding Reasons

2012-02-05T12:29:00.001+08:00

While this person has been in my mind lately, I still don't know the reason why he came in and is supposed to be there.

I probably won't know yet until later. And I wonder when will that day be.

Two Celebrations in One Afternoon

2012-02-04T23:53:00.000+08:00

Just a quick post for tonight. I went to attend my office mate Kat's post-birthday celebration. You know that in this post, her birthday really was yesterday, Feb.3.

But aside from a birthday gathering, today was a day for two occasions as today also happened to be hers and her hubby, Vick's wedding anniversary. Talk about another year added to life and the first 365 days (and more) of wedded bliss. I thought I'd be missing this one because I woke up with a terrible stiff neck this morning but then, paracetamol thankfully did some of its magic and so, off I went.

Anyway, let these photos tell you of how we joined the merriment:

Here I am with Vick, Kat and Beth together with her hubby Dan. Yes. My dear gorgeous office mates are both taken (READ: MARRIED) and as for me, I'm the only single still standing. Enough said =)

What's a party without food? These two whips up really delicious dishes and tonight's occasion was no exception. Who'd have thought there's another creative way of preparing sausages (he called it hairy hotdogs). I personally loved the shrimp pasta (well, being the seafood monger that I am) and the liver stew? It won Dan over. No doubt about it.

The nanny and the girls, full and happy =)

Surprises for the Birthday Girl

2012-02-03T19:30:00.000+08:00

It's already the fourth of the month and I realized I haven't written anything the past few days.

Today happens to be Kat's birthday. It was also on this day that some things just slipped in my mind. Questions about guy behavior and things close to it. While Beth and I were actually giddy in excitement for this day tagged as someone's debut, M came today and upon probably hearing us talk, broke the momentum by asking this to Kat:"

"Birthday mo ba?" (Is it your birthday?)

I had to do a Vice Ganda-like punchline (pero promise, na-guilty ako dun sobra) because all the obvious signs are already in front of him; from us talking about it, our big boss and office mates sending out their greetings (yes, imported from Queensland) to our office system's calendar. To which Kat whispered to me:

"Hindi man lang bumati!" (He didn't bother to greet.)

Now, I found it weird. I was asking at the back of my head if it's really natural for men to be forgetful when it comes to dates and special occasions. After all,I do know some people, guys who are just like that -- they switch to amnesia mode when it speaks of the significant dates. It's as if it is the law of the universe that women are supposed to be the one who should be keen to dates and details. But what came next caught me in awe: I saw him give this huge chocolate cupcake to Kat and in his soft, monotone voice heard him say happy birthday.

(*insert giddy move here*)

In fairness, with what I had witnessed and the way I wanted to think of it, he probably wanted to show some some originality And if I were to be asked, I'd say, he won it.

But what really went for the win was the birthday card that was given by her husband. I swear, I was not the birthday girl, but when Kat showed it to me and read it, I had to control tears from welling from my eyes.

Well, there are just people who are that lucky to find love and the person to share it with. And she's one of them.

These Prevailing Thoughts on My Wall

2012-01-28T23:27:00.004+08:00

I don’t know where to start. Right now, all I know is that when I think of him, I have this unexplained giddy feeling. This feeling just kind of showed only lately. When I first met him two months back, I never bothered this was possible.

I remember that time when I had lunch all by my lonesome. He came in to the cafeteria, called upon me and asked why I was alone. Not to be a snob, but I never got to reply because my mouth was stuffed with food (sorry naman, sabi ng nanay ko, don’t talk when your mouth is full!).

On my second week at work, over lunch together with other office peeps. I know that there was this uneasy feeling still because aside from I still haven’t settled myself with the new environment; I was sitting right next to the chief and him. Still, I remember him motioning a “thumbs up” just to make sure if I was okay. This time, my response was just a nod and a smile.

We were the only two people in the project present at that moment when people are already anticipating the holidays. Right before he left, he uttered a greeting. While it was somewhat unexpected, I was able to say something back. And I should say there was sincerity in it. And it was funny and weird that weeks ago, I had this dream that he spent Christmas Eve with me and my family (while in reality, I was trying to put myself asleep after crying the midnight off).

While I had always thought myself to be the corny wala-sa-hulog-ang punchline type, two colleagues had told me how I drew a smile on his face (which I never saw). When he thanked us for the gift we gave him on Christmas, when I blurted out due to fustration “Hay naku Pag-Ibig! Isa kang malaking problema (and I was referring to something else), and when I told him that he needs to prepare the rose and the tuxedo because he’ll take part in a “debutant’s” party (pangalawa siya sa pila! :-p).

But it’s not always about the good stuff. Weeks after the holidays, the unexpected news came in. It was something that got me in disbelief and in disappointment. I fought a battle on my own for the first time. It was something I knew I should take courage of. But it also was the same moment where I showed my other, strong side to him.

There was a certain day I realized guilt as well. It was during that late night message when he wished me a happy weekend. It really hit me because I don’t even bother to say goodbye or happy weekend when I leave, unlike how my other colleagues do. But he never forgot to say it apart from the important reason.

That fateful day was the start of things. I just decided that I wanted to make the most of it –of what is left for me. I realized, if things won’t work out and I have to leave the wonderful environment and the kind people I know, I better keep it sweet. As of this writing I only have two weeks left to savor everything good that this feeling is actually giving me.

I know you might have seen old status posts that sounded all too wonderful, pertaining to this person. Well, there’s no doubt about it. The feeling is blissful. But if you’re thinking of asking me if I am perhaps in love with this person, the answer to that is NO I AM NOT.

I’d say a slight (READ: MINOR) crush would be the nearest to it. But this one is transforming me and my emotions at a different level – in a good way. No one knows his identity and I want to keep it that way. I promised myself that if this feeling would bug me again this time, I want to handle it differently – as civil and normal as I could.

I just want this simple and wonderful feeling to be just that. SIMPLE. WONDERFUL.

It's Now More Than Just a Radio Show!

2012-01-26T18:38:00.000+08:00

The Morning Rush Top 10 finally hits the bookshelves! And since I was given an extended holiday by my boss because of the Chinese New Year, I trooped to the bookstore to get myself a copy.

I'm quite a fan of the radio show. I only say quite because I only get to hear the program when time permits. Now, this book's a genius; because at least I can read about some of the topics I've missed. While I've been a follower of Chico Garcia's blog, Strange Fruit, nothing still beats the feeling of flipping the crisp pages of a book and savoring its contents.

And if you think, this book's just about the green-minded subjects. Well, not everything in it is. They've got topics from mushy love stuff, creepy stories involving the supernatural, to the out of this world ideas you never thought you'd read in a book until you get a copy of this one!

I got to finish reading the book in two days. Just this morning, I shared the book to my two office mates, and what would you expect? We were all in for an ultimate laugh trip (which might have puzzled our supervisor who's desk is just in front of us :-p)

Just like wildfire, another office mate told me, she'll purchase one for herself. If you're looking for a light read, I suggest that you buy a copy as well. The great dose of laughter saved our sanity from being burned by the whole day's work and maybe, it will do you good too!

Behind the Spontaneous Thought

2012-01-24T18:30:00.003+08:00

My current Facebook status reads:

Happiness is as simple as having you in sight. But having you pictured in my mind is eternal bliss."

Friends would find that this too is the update on my Skype account (except I removed the second sentence). I never thought the writer in me would strike in this instance. It just dawned on me that I wrote this post without consulting books. When I keyed these words this morning, all I knew was that I am happy and that and that someone's face was registered on my mind.

I don't like to think that time runs fast and the clock is ticking; probably, one of the reasons why I came up with this status post is the fact that I just want to think happy thoughts; including every single day that I see this person around.

I still have three more weeks left. I am hoping and praying for a miracle; and may this person be the knight in shining armor in this circumstance; just like how someone became for me years ago.

PS. Sana lang, wag ka nang pala-absent.

Guessing Game

2012-01-21T22:09:00.001+08:00

I was about to retire to bed late Friday night when I got this message.As luck would have it, the person seemed to have forgotten leaving his name.

It made me clueless for 10 hours and had to send a response first thing in the morning as I wake up.Thankfully, I didn't forget my manners because on the contrary, I'm kinda bitchy when it comes to text messages coming from people I don't know.

I should say this is the second time I get anonymous messages this week. The other one was a comment left in one of the entries in this blog. The sender of which, I am still trying to figure out until now (detective mode, eh :-p).

The person might have failed to mention a name but then, never forgot to wish me a happy weekend. Fair enough so I suppose, giving the benefit of the doubt (in this case) won't hurt.

Some Things Are Worth Another Try

2012-01-18T18:45:00.000+08:00

Today happens to be the thirdyear that I have been single. So, this is how it feels to not be in anexclusive relationship. Obviously, three years of being in hiatus is already along period. And it’s not just the people around me who have the same thought –I do think it indeed is too.

I woke up this morning with the usual things in mind. Exceptthat the first few minutes, I rose with this weird look on my face, after thisweird dream where I saw this guy (let’s just call him the Prince of Egypt) inmy house on Christmas Eve. I was asking him if he had called someone and all hegave me was just a cute smile. It was odd. Really. I might have reached amilestone again but then, this day is just an ordinary day in the calendar –waking up, fixing myself, reporting for work; and as luck would have it, Iarrived in the office on buzzer-beater mode.

A quick lunch and I was off to hear the mass at a nearbychapel. Of all the days, the Homily sort of hit me hard. It could be related tohow things were for me the past three years. “Whenwas the last time I seized good opportunity when it presented itself?”Honestly, I missed it every time. Relationship wise, I kept ditching it –either because of fear, uncertainty or the worst, pride.

Like if this person doesn’t fit my criteria.

How many opportunities could I have missed and unreasonably letgo in the past three years.

The past few days, I’ve been pondering about things – includingthis. Sure, I don’t want to stay this way forever. Yes, I might have learnednew things, knew how to fight my own battles, won and lost but then, at the endof the day, I now often realize…

Some of the people around me are right. I should give love achance too. I might be that independent, brave, wise and all the good and badthings yet, there are things that things couldn’t give me.

Things that only a particular person and a force called LOVEcould.

I realized that maybe, I am just being that hard on myselfand what my heart wants. For days, this thought has been bugging me, thatdespite the comfort of friends, other people, my books and a job, there is thislittle voice in me that I have and still am trying to ignore.

My heart also longs for its other half. I am not immune topeople holding hands, whispering sweet nothings and those couples exchangingpecks on the cheek when they part ways after a long night. I am just thatstubborn to disregard it because of my reasons.

And I need to pay attention to that voice – at least once(more).

While friends are telling me it won’t hurt to try again, I’dlike to believe two things: that the world is made up of millions of people. Millionsin which one of them is wondering where I could possibly be found; that thereis one soul who happens to be the one I have been hoping and praying for for solong.

The other thing? Love could be compared to waiting for yourfavorite Starbucks drink that you have been craving for for weeks. Nothingbeats that wonderful feeling once it’s already there.

From a Sweet Treat to an Impromptu Movie Date

2012-01-16T20:37:00.001+08:00

I am writing this post with a cat sleeping near my feet.

Cats. Among the things that we both liked.

It was on this night last year, we decided to meet again -- sadly the last of the series. I was with him chatting and laughing over scoops of Häagen-Dazs. I can still remember that weird look he gave me upon realizing that I was to get three scoops of raspberry sorbet, when he asked if I was sure and how cute he smiled when he saw me cringe upon knowing that it doesn't taste good.

And how he kept smiling when I said it was true. That not all that glitters is gold.

This day brought me back to that night when he invited me to watch a movie afterwards and I said yes to it. The same night I was able to appreciate a genre I never tried to watch before; when I saw the child in him and when he told me that probably, if time comes and he will have kids, he'll be a cool dad just like the character in the movie; which caught me by surprise because I was trying to veer away from discussing even mentioning the subject of a relationship, getting married much more the topic of having kids and becoming a parent

Yes, it was the last time we went out. Some people told me I was stubborn for not following the path of romance when it was already presenting itself. I thought of it and I'll be honest that at one point, there is regret. But then, it is now, a year after that I learned my lesson:

‘What’ and ‘if’ two words as nonthreatening as words come. But put them together side-by-side and they have the power to haunt you for the rest of your life."

And though I was a Cinderella in distress for missing my midnight curfew, at least there was one time I felt safe; for I was not traveling on my way home alone -- at least half way through the trip.

And it was one of the things I'd like to think of and replay in my head.

Creativity is Definitely More Fun -- in the Philippines

2012-01-14T22:30:00.000+08:00

The Department of Tourism's new campaign It's More Fun in the Philippines might have earned controversy again knowing that it carried the same thing for the 1951 campaign of Switzerland. And I never thought to delight in it. Just this week, I was browsing on my Facebook page and discovered It's More Fun in the Philippines (OFFICIAL) page. There I saw how other people showed their creative side by adding their thoughts about what's good about the Philippines. Consider these:

You'd think you're in ancient Spain or Mexico

If US has Hershey's and Switzerland's got Lindt,
we've got out own too -- and it's definitely cheaper!

Real life Farm Ville? It's here!

Just among the items in my bucket list!

Nemo is for real!

And yes, my hometown too is among the reasons
why Philippines is a must-see country!

And this is the place where we have a wholesome version
of the pot session!

Indeed there are a lot of reasons to be proud. The campaign itself may have similarities but with how people represented and showed their ideas made it different. I just thought that if I only have my Adobe Photoshop software available, I could have uploaded a picture too.

How about you, what could make you say "It's more fun in the Philippines"?

photos from It's More Fun in the Philippines (OFFICIAL) page on Facebook.

I Don't Want to Ruin My Weekend

2012-01-13T21:17:00.002+08:00

Since I have been though a lot of downs this week; as much as I would like to air it out, I guess, my handy-dandy journal would be the best place to rest it. Thank goodness, there's a creature that in a way was able to let those awful pent-up feelings aside.

Sino'ng adik?

We all deserve a breather! Break free from the nuisance of the planet and the world. It's everyone's right. You're free to claim your share.

This Date Last Year

2012-01-08T18:18:00.001+08:00

I remember riding the cab to Ortigas -- SM Megamall to be exact. I was meeting someone for the first time in two years. Yes, I dated a colleague who I used to have a crush on. After three weeks, we decided that on this date, we shall meet. He picked me up at my happy place, another bookstore while I was jittery holding the book To Kill a Mockingbird. A book where, he later on confessed, his name was derived.

That day was the hardest for me -- in terms of telling my mom where am I going, the reason behind and the person I'll meet. But it was the best moment I ever had considering that I used to tag this person as "someone special".

It was a usual talk over coffee. Who would think that before we knew it, it was getting late, but we still managed to continue talking over dinner that night. But before you think more thoughts, the story never went far, for much of our beliefs are far and different (at least as I see it). The talks over coffee might not have led us to those sparks, butterflies and sleepless nights but I don't regret it. For me, I'd like to see it as an experience that's part of being an adult. That at a certain point, I met and was with someone who knows how to honor my choices, great and engaging at conversations and who knows how to make me cry -- out of laughter.

Name Game

2012-01-07T20:55:00.001+08:00

I'd like to think I am one of those creatures with a unique name. Unique in the sense that some people have a hard time to pronounce it right. But likewise, there are a few who still manage to be on the safe side. Back in one of my previous jobs, one of my friends from the US (hi, Drew!) requested me to spell my name over the phone. When I asked him why, his reply was because he wanted to be polite and to avoid "murdering" my name.

Sweet. Someone once said that a person's name is by far, the sweetest music to the ears. So, imagine how I cringe whenever someone calls me by a different name despite repeating it a lot of times. Believe it or not, to them, I was Rachel or Sarah. It sends creepy feelings which made me decide that if time comes for me to have kids, I won't be giving them "complicated" names.

Thankfully, with my job now, people seem to get my name pretty well. I get calls from different people and so far, it's about 97% (funny but I am now the one having issues with their names because they've got a different accent). Just yesterday I received a call from someone, a guy named George hoping to talk to someone in the office. While this person was unable to reach who he needed, he was that kind to recall my name after leaving his message. Who'd have thought, someone who I don't see in person and don't really know well ( except for that info that he works for a famous software company) would find time to recall my name.

Talk about priceless experiences at work. And for being one of those courteous people, I'll remember his name as well -- his name's George.

Found a Long-Lost Literary Favorite

2012-01-06T19:23:00.001+08:00

A few days before I took my holiday break at work, I took time to drop by the Fully Booked branch near my office to browse the available books that they have. Visiting the place during my lunch break has been a wonderful routine for me for the past few months.

Their books are a bit expensive; but then, they've got lots of titles from different authors. I was busy checking out the large print versions of Nicholas Sparks' books when lo and behold, I found this familiar title book quietly ignored at one corner:

They have a copy of A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux! Imagine how my heart lept in giddy delight! I had the chance to read this novel about four years ago through my best friend Lord Apple and fell really in love with it -- from the plot, the characters and all. The whole story is really interesting for me; but I realized this title may no longer be available, given that this was written in the early 90s.

I had to let few more weeks pass and have it spent crossing fingers that it will still be in their shelves when I return. Just this afternoon, I finally bought this one in the fear that if I don't get to own this, someone else surely will! And I can't be let that happen. Now, I'm happier that I have one of my favorite novels at hand!

The challenge is, I still have another Nicholas Sparks novel waiting to be finished, so I'm afraid this book will have to be parked for a couple of weeks or so. But regardless, the point is I finally have IT!

Behind a Broken Road Lies a (Wonderful) Surprise

2012-01-05T18:40:00.002+08:00

Often, we believe and choose that straight path to be the shortest but best way to our destination; that we tend to ignore the broken paths and only see them as the road that deserve to be less traveled.

But what we don't realize is this: It might be broken, but it doesn't mean it's useless. For in that broken path lies one blessing that we might not find in the shortest, easiest road.

Bless the Broken Road

I set out on a narrow way many years ago

Hoping I would find true love along the broken road

But I got lost a time or two

Wiped my brow and kept pushing through

I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you

Every long lost dream led me to where you are

Others who broke my heart they were like Northern stars

Pointing me on my way into your loving arms

This much I know is true

That God blessed the broken road

That led me straight to you

I think about the years I spent just passing through

I'd like to have the time I lost and give it back to you

But you just smile and take my hand

You've been there you understand

It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true

Now I'm just rolling home

Into my lover's arms

This much I know is true

That God blessed the broken road

That led me straight to you

Thanks, Patty Laurel for your wonderful blog post that inspired me to write this today and for encouraging me to believe in one of the best things (or probably, forces) in the world.

New Year Thoughts and Traditions

2012-01-01T13:29:00.000+08:00

I am writing this on the first day of the year; looks like an achievement of some sorts because despite the traditional allergy attack, I am doing this first thing on New Year's Day.

Compared to the previous years, there weren't much photos taken this year as everyone has been that busy. People in the household were occupied preparing for the feast while I was doing my general cleaning of my bedroom on the last day of the year and just decided to take this out-of-the-blue shot. And this has been my traditional look on New Year's Eve given that I am really having these bad allergy attacks after the celebrations.

I did not forget the traditions and beliefs concerning the New Year. They say red is a lucky color; unfortunately, I wasn't wearing a red shirt last night (I was wearing an Aeropostale shirt in green) so yesterday morning, I decided to color my nails using Twinkle nail polish in appealing red; when my niece Kate saw what I was doing, she shyly asked me to do her nails too, so there were two of us with red nails in the household.

My mom believes that you should put in coins on your pocket when you greet the New Year to signify well, prosperity finance wise. And I used these coins and placed them in my pocket.

And lastly, one of the things that I do on the last day of the year was lighting these prosperity candles. This came almost impossible this year after the NBS branch in SM Taytay (when I used to buy the candles) got out of stock. Thankfully, I found these candles still available in their branch in Sta. Lucia East.

Based on the instructions, you should light these candles at 11:30 pm of December 31 and put it off at 12 midnight and the shortest candle will bring the most prosperity for the year. This was something I was not telling anyone in my family, not until last night. The candle has seven colors signifyinmg different aspect of life:

Red- life Green- money

Blue- peace Pink- health/ love

Yellow- good spirit Orange- brightness
Violet- material wealth

Since I started doing this in 2009, the shortest candle that's left is the green one which signifies money (probably why I was either changing or receiving new job offers and sidelines. But for this year, it was the blue candle that was left; which would mean peace.

I don't line up resolutions. But if there would be some, it would be the shallow ones; read more books, watch more movies, be more outgoing (but not wild), spend time for myself, be more financially wise, blog more often,flourish my business, stay beautiful and live life to the fullest!

What a Year That Was!

2011-12-31T19:51:00.001+08:00

2011 will soon be coming to a close and I had quite a blast. I'd say quite because as we all, know, not everything was perfect. Just consider the following photos to show you how my year went:

I received some rewards and commendations at work. All these why juggling through the effort, the work schedule and trying to learn as much things as I could.

My younger brother JR graduated in April. He had since put up a business and is working as a cinematographer for Bob Nicolas whose name rings a bell in the field of wedding photography and cinematography.

I met and made new friends; participated in fun events including this summer outing in Subic. Finally, I was able to come back after six years!

I also got to challenge myself in a few dares including getting a tattoo. This was during the Henamoko event; a company fund-raising event for the benefit of the people of Japan.

It was also on this year that I finally acquired the gadget that I have always wanted!

And our family celebrated my parents' birthdays!

I tried going back to my reading habit again this year, replenish my library with new titles. Among those that I've read this year were:

From local authors like Cel Coscoluella to foreign ones: James Patterson, Kazuo Ishiguro and of course, Nicholas Sparks!

And I have been to the movies again too; something I have not done for so long. Blame it on a movie date that I had in January of this year, but I found out that watching movies still is one feel good activity -- even if I alone. And on the final quarter of the year, there were two more things that happened to me this year:

I resumed gift giving this year

I made another career move and is now working in a new office. The people that I am working with right now are very much different from those I worked with in the past; the pay might not be that hefty but the work schedule and the task itself is so amendable. I remember challenging God in my prayer to give me a new job inexchange to what I have lost and He took my dare seriously for he gave me thisjob a day before my 27th birthday.

There are a lot of lessons I have realized this year; from living at thepresent, how positivity works its magic and likewise, what goes around comesaround. Those are only a few; but I get to learn one day at a time. I still don't have any idea of what will be in store for me for 2012.Yes, I am currently having this wonderful feeling, but I will live one day ata time and let thesurprise unfold before my very eyes.

Happy NewYear everyone.

Simplicity in Giving

2011-12-27T12:35:00.001+08:00

Guess what's inside!

I know I've previously said that Christmas gifts have not been my thing for four Decembers. But because of the blessings (career wise) that flooded my door this year, giving out these gifts had made my holidays lovelier. I will not hide it, the Christmas rush is so stressful. I was still not done with wrapping the gifts hours before Noche Buena. But I don't mind. There was excitement in that feeling of slouching on the floor to wrap the little things, and just thinking and seeing the delight on the person who receives them is priceless (and there was this huge smile on my face as I type the word PRICELESS).

From my cousin's wife, Ate Rea

Gifts from my office mates, Eternity Moment was from Tita F.

In return, I received something for the holidays too. Gifts from office mates and relatives currently adorn a space in my study table. Yes, they might be simple things from pens, sticky notes to custom-made jewelry but regardless, those are all treasured. To others, they could just be little; but for me they mean big and loved.

More than just gifts, there are two more reasons that made my Christmas wonderful this year. It was a surprise that was revealed just last night. I'll probably tell that in another post, hopefully before the year ends.

It's Proposal Season!

2011-12-25T20:09:00.002+08:00

It's fun to think that Christmas season could be compared to Valentine's Day. While one of my friends was addicted to a Valentine's date dinner video, I on the other hand spent Christmas Eve watching these two videos. Marriage proposals seem to be "trending" these days. I know this one's a delayed reaction but I just had the chance to watch a very interesting marriage proposal that's been viral in Facebook only last night!

After following the links, I found out that the guy in the video was Timothy Tiah Ewe Tiam, the co-founder of Nuffnang (which provides ads to my blog) and the girl was blogger, Audrey Ooi Feng Ling . While some people call the proposal "was too nerdy", I don't see anything that's corny in it. I even think it's creative as who would have thought image memes could be placed in a wonderful use as that! And by nerdy, I guess it's true that the nerdy ones are often the romantic creatures.

From proposals in a foreign land, another one that captured my attention was this one posted by a former colleague. Upon watching the video closely, I realized that the guy on it was no other than running coach, Rio dela Cruz. It prompted me to immediately tag some of my former office mates in Makati, who (kinda) know Coach Rio, as they were runners as well. I can't help but be both giddy and teary eyed just watching it and hearing their story. I know it's shallow. but who'd have thought, that the simple query for directions would eventually lead to an accidental meet up inside a jeepney and a love story. Fast forward to 2011, with another jeepney ride, the champion runner falls on one knee to ask a million-dollar question!

Surprises! Love! It really takes a lot to put up something as incredibly great as these. I almost forgot it's actually Christmas and V-day is still months away. :-)

December Party Rock: Our Style

2011-12-25T19:30:00.002+08:00

Let me borrow a few words to that of our office Christmas Party's theme for this post. A day before closing for the holidays, we had a mini- Christmas Party consisting of our group and the colleagues from a different team. It was a winning moment because we were able to plan and organize the event all by ourselves-- considering that there was just less than ten people to make things happen. And we succeeded at that!

Now, let these photos tell you how the event went! As much as I want to post the photo of what we had, (each of us brought something for the menu as it was a potluck party), I just realized we failed on the presentation part and the only shot that's good for posting was this:

Mango cake from Dulcinea courtesy of Jec and I.

Each of us had a share: Rommel brought pork barbecue, Beth had maja con mais, pancit andd steaming rice were from Kat, Jen brought leche flan and Rodel shouldered the sodas and the utensils.

For the gift giving, we were requested to write at least three items of the things we wanted (badly, haha!) that will fit the budget that was agreed by everyone.

Beth on a wacky loving her GCs from Bench!

Errol approves his brand new earphones

And so does Kat :-)

Freakin' happy me received a planner from Kat.

Jec received Ricky Lee's Para kay B -- from me!

Jen proudly shows her GCs from Starbucks.

While Rommel received food keepers from Lock n Lock.

We had a blast chowing down the food that each of us brought but what made the event wonderful was we were that lucky to have been allowed by our bosses to take the lunch period together to make this potluck party happen. And I'd like to think the clients probably sensed that we were having this gathering for they never called nor rang our phones even after the party.

photo courtesy of Kat Campos-Fowler's Facebook account.

Pre-Christmas Ritual 2011

2011-12-24T17:12:00.000+08:00

Christmas Eve (literally) is a few hours from now. It's a weekend and just like the previous year, while I don't have work on this day, I found myself again in the city -- to shoot some photos and do my usual pre-Christmas church visit. Let these photos and little descriptions tell you what I did.

When I started this effort last year, part of the things that I did was visiting a sacred place (at least a new church). However, there are no churches near my office; only chapels. Last year, I paid a visit to the St. Pio Chapel. For this year, I went to the Holy Family Chapel which is just right across the street where my current office is located. People say that if it's your first time to visit a place of worship, and you do make a wish, it will come true. Of course, I did that (but I won't say what my wish was).

I also had the chance to visit the PLDT Christmas Village at the Citywalk (which was a mere steps away from my former office). This village was put up last year and I was able to see it too though I was unable to blog about it. But this time, I really had to capture the moment that could take me back to some memories of childhood.

I also took a video of the dancing fountains in the open park of the mall though I had to make the trip swift. I was caught a bit in traffic on the way home but I was able to manage. The gifts are ready to be sent out tonight and I am also about to open the gifts I received from my office mates.

I hope you'll have a wonderful Christmas everyone!

Two Songs That Saved my Sanity

2011-12-23T22:41:00.000+08:00

I say it saved my sanity because today, I (together with my immediate supervisor) was the only person in the project to report to the office for the scheduled mandatory rotation. I decided to get the slot for today since it's the last day of the work week.

What I did? Well, except for just one assignment that I finished thankfully before the day ended, I just sat there observing if in case the phone's going to ring -- which never happened as people are already on a holiday, and to eat lunch at McDonalds. But let me be clear, I'm not complaining. I'm actually thankful that I get to experience this kind of environment as this is positively different compared to what I previously had.

I know I'm supposed to be listening to Yuletide tunes as Christmas is just two days away. But I had to tweak it by listening to these songs. Funny but as I listen to it, I found some wonderful lines too!

Love is joy and love is pain
It's kissing in the rain
It's doing dishes when it's late
Isn't it, baby
It's the art of compromise
It's hellos and long goodbyes
It's the picture of our lives

I found this song after watching Jolina Magdangal and Mark Escueta's wedding video through my brother who is one of the cinematographers who worked on this project.

And all along I believed that I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I’ll love you for a thousand more

This one, I found while listening to the radio using my mobile phone in the middle of doing my research at the office this morning. And while it worked its magic in saving me from boredom, I just found myself memorizing the lines of the song at the end of the day.

Tickled Pink, Thanks to K!

2011-12-22T18:57:00.001+08:00

Lovelehhh! (with matching Aussie accent!) :-p

I've started dispensing the gifts one by one. And so does my office mates. This is the time of year that I realize the use of wish lists.

For the second time, I had to pick items to include on my wish list for a small Christmas party with my new colleagues.Some say my wish list has no thrill in it for it's ordinary if not easy to find. Well, that's my reason for putting it up. Aside from being specific, another reason why I tend to ask for the items in my list is to avoid inconvenience to the person who'll give it. Last year, I asked for gift certificates for this famous coffee shop as a gift which I got and for this year, I asked for any of the following, a pink planner, any novel from Nicholas Sparks (which I got addicted to this year) or gift certificates from Gong Cha for my milk tea addiction.

Today, I got my wish of a huge pink planner, thanks to my office mate K, I had a reason to giddily scream (again!). While it's not as pricey as Belle de Jour nor stylish as those given by coffee shops, I'm still happy with the simplicity of this gift. When I first laid my eyes on this item a month back in my happy place, I knew this was among what I really wanted for Christmas.

And I can't be any happier. Thanks K for my new planner. I'm so excited to flip into its pages next year. I now believe that when you ask for something, you'll have to be specific -- and it shall be given to you.

In that case, I hope Santa will grant my wish on my list of having someone like ML for a significant someone soon. But who knows? He might be that generous :-)

Gift Shopping Revived

2011-12-17T18:26:00.001+08:00

Maybe, I should get one too! :-p

For I really haven't done decent gift shopping for quite some time. Back then, while I only have one significant person to shop for, I was really meticulous on what to give for that one special holiday. But since 2009, I only had the godchildren to think of for Christmas and since they're still kids, I give off money for their aguinaldo as they're not as complicated as adults when it comes to gifts.

Well, for Christmas this year, shopping for gifts was revived. My godchildren will still receive their gifts the usual way but since I got blessed with a good-paying job, I decided to go the extra mile to shop for some extra gifts. At one corner of my bedroom are bags containing those gifts; from books, toys, kikay stuff and that Parker pen.

I guess, I'm still meticulous when it comes to the gifts -- the kikay stuff should be hypoallergenic, the toys should be apt to the age of the recipients, and for those with a wish list, that they get what they wanted. But what tested me was the Parker pen. Why so? It took me three weekends to acquire the gift. This after my office mates B and K reached to a decision that it will be the best gift for someone in our office. We first discussed about the type of pen to give and the budget (but I started checking it on National Bookstore's website when we agreed on the brand), then since I normally frequent Megamall every weekend, I checked with the branch to make sure that they still have the said type and color. And of course, since the gift will be personalized, I had to make sure that the spelling is correct or else my head will roll if something goes wrong (:-p).

We're off to send this gift next week -- and the recipient has no idea of what we girls planned. While I will start wrapping the other gifts so it will be ready in time for the 24th given that I'll still be going to the office until Friday.

How bout you? Are you done with your Christmas shopping too?

Do You Prefer Money as Gifts?

2011-12-10T22:44:00.001+08:00

How much should you really put in?

I certainly do.

With Christmas just two weeks away, the mall is already crowded will patrons who are busy with their Christmas shopping. Now, it's not that I'm a lazy godmother, I also shop for gifts as i look forward to wrapping some stuff to give on Christmas but I think cash would be far better especially for the kids.

I consider this to be a better alternative. Especially if you're the kind of person who hates to wait in the long line in the ATM, the long queue in the cashier and of course the hours spent travelling (and if worst comes, in traffic). It also saves time if you don't have the wishlist of what the kids want as gifts as they'd have all the liberty of what they want to buy.

For some Christmases, I've been handing the aguinaldo to kids in red Chinese envelopes (ang pao) but after a former colleague shed some light that those are intended for birthdays and the Chinese New Year, I'll be handing them their gifts in these money enclosures.

How about you? Do you give money as gifts too?

Pink Shoes

2011-12-10T22:03:00.001+08:00

Heaven for my heels!

I never fail to make it a habit to go to the mall during weekends just to unwind. And today, in between gift hunting for Christmas, I decided to treat myself with a pair of new footwear. My original plan really was to purchase gladiator sandals from Charles and Keith at SM Megamall but then they don't have my size for the style that I wanted (that's what you get for having big feet!).

And so off I went to the other brands and found these pink rubber pair from World Balance. Normally, I ask for a size 8 as most of the pairs I wear bear that but for this one, I had to ask for one size bigger. And despite wanting the gladiator sandals badly, I had to resort to this because of two things: 1) my work wardrobe isn't that complicated -- I wear jeans and shirts to work five times a week; and 2: I walk from the jeepney stop to the office (and vice versa) daily; making walkathon a (healthy) habit.

As per the cost, the pair is at PhP 1,199 (roughly around $27). I normally don't splurge too much on shoes (and yes, I already consider this one to be pricey). But when I first tried it on, it left my feet feeling comfortable (as in, I don't think I'll need heel cushions like what I used to do) which in other words is a purchase that's worth the money.

Midweek Outfit Post

2011-12-07T20:25:00.001+08:00

Outfit: Pink tee from Reitman's denim jeans from BNY.

This was what I wore to work today. And as much as I would like to blog more, my hands are also a chuckful as of the moment. One of my dad's sisters, Tita F arrived yesterday from Canada to celebrate the holidays here with us (and that dress I am wearing was from her :-)

At the office, we also moved to a new space. While I will have to keep photos of my new office private, I'll make a photo essay so you will still have a clue where to find me on mornings.

Oh, not to forget, I am still not done with the gifts for the holidays and I still got some backlogs pending to be finished.

But don't you worry. I have drafted the entries and will post them the soonest!

Two days before the weekend! Can't hardly wait!

The Viral Video I'd Love to Watch Over and Over Again

2011-12-04T18:27:00.001+08:00

I first found out about this video yesterday morning when one of my friends shared the link. While she had said she will not cry, I decided to give it a try and watch the video to see for myself what it's all about.

I'm not really a fan of viral videos especially given the fact that majority of these are nonsense. But Coca-Cola's Where Will Happiness Strike Next: The OFW Project was different.

It's a touching video about how three OFWs from different countries were given the chance to come home for the holidays through the initiative of Coca-Cola Philippines. It was that heartwarming found myself crying (and to think I just woke up when I watched it yesterday morning) when I watched it.

It made an impact on me. And moved mo to tears despite trying not to.

I am no different from the family of the three OFWs. Prior to obtaining their Canadian citizenship, my dad's two sisters were OFWs as well. And so, I wasn't spared from the sad feeling whenever one of them leaves to return to Canada after spending a month with us -- usually for Christmas. Of all the three people featured in the video, I was moved by the story of Joey Doble, who because of his job as a babysitter had to spend 11 Christmases in a foreign land. When the video reached to the point where he showed the ring he'll give his wife and when he first went to the school of his son when he arrived in the country.

I've seen a lot of Coca Cola ads and this one had touched me the most. If all ads would just contain heart more than just profit, I won't mind spending five minutes or so watching it without complaining.

Twice The Magic

2011-11-30T18:33:00.008+08:00

I never wished on that magic wand
Just followed the sign and took my stride
And as the crowd had cleared the land,
You were the one I'd get to find.

I guess I lost track of my calendar today. Leaving home early for work, I found it weird to find roads that are so quiet; with not much commuters, one could freely drive like a maniac if they wanted to.

I only realized halfway through the journey that today is actually a holiday. (Sigh). I guess I still haven't removed this thing of observing foreign holidays instead of our own and I am still used to reporting to work on a holiday.

But if there was one thing I consider great about coming to work on regular holidays, it's this incident that happened this morning. I was walking on the way to our office building when a lady wearing a hijab passed ahead of me. While I thought of it as something ordinary, there also were ideas running in my mind.

Like what if this person is related to someone I know.

Call it funny, call it creepy but something that made me giddy and smile to my heart's content happened minutes after that. Just as the lady disappeared and the halls had cleared, I saw a good-looking man approaching my way.

It was him -- a person I knew and befriended from way, way back. The usual exchange of pleasantries were there. Funny but just when I thought is a usual street meeting, he turned back to verbally invite me to one of their office functions.

I won't be disclosing my response but as I paved my way to the office to begin another workday, I was really wearing this HUGE, delightful smile on my face. Yes, I confess that I sort of prayed that someone as dashingly handsome, smart and nice as him (only modified in some important aspects) would eventually come my way. But then, there's another thing I was telling myself:

Despite the weird feeling of making those coincidences real, I sure am a lucky girl!

photo courtesy of DeviantArt.

Empathy

2011-11-28T17:24:00.002+08:00

I was watching KC Concepcion's interview yesterday on TV and compared to the past episodes of The Buzz, where I don't normally pay too much time, this one really caught my attention. I can't help but feel disturbed watching a teary-eyed girl confessing her pain and disappointment over a relationship that went down the drain. It was at that moment I was trying to process some mixed feelings at the back of my head.

With all honesty, part of me has this empathy for her. Seeing KC in tears while she recalled the whole relationship -- from how it started, the way it ended and those reasons behind it that she decided not to tell, in a way, I know how it feels. It feels great to recall how it commenced but it's painful as well to think how it ended. I could relate to that confusion and fear when when she has to tell people why they're no longer together. Finding and giving out answers to the question why is among the hardest things to do and say; especially if those people -- from common friends, family to strangers had been so used to seeing you and your former significant other together.

But what really hit me hard was when she said that she felt the emotion of anger later and that never had she prayed much until the break up happened. In some instances, anger is a secondary feeling. And just like her, when I went through the same ordeal, I had to seek refuge to prayer just to maintain my sanity in the midst of the pain I was going through.

Breakups are among those things that's hard and heart wrenching -- especially if one had invested more than just feelings in it. It's a situation that would consume much of you -- from your emotions and if worse, your whole being. Surviving a breakup is a struggle that sometimes, impossible as it may seem, I wish no one would have to go through it at all.

Sweet Inspiration

2011-11-15T18:02:00.002+08:00

This was the first thing that came running into my mind this morning. I decided writing this as my first note of the day. I bumped into a former office mate on my way to the office. The thing is it happened just as I was just having this wishful thought like "what if I'd meet this person along the way?"

I've been wearing this huge smile on my face afterwards. I'm that giddy, I even got to bring that smile home with me.

Rather than focusing on that "what your mind can conceive, your body can achieve" mantra, that incident this morning left me thinking that maybe, God really knows how to goof off with my shallows thoughts -- enough to make it real in no time.

Not to forget that what I've written could count as a form of positive faith. I can't help but feel light just thinking that I am really a lucky girl.

A Fresh Start

2011-11-13T18:44:00.002+08:00

Tomorrow, my life begins anew. And I will confess, I feel a bit scared. I know that this should be nothing new and that I must get used to this but still I feel odd. From working for an advertising company, I am about to embark a career in another industry.

Beginning anew, starting afresh. A new office, new technologies, new tasks, new people, new schedule. Yes, it's scary. The first time will always be difficult. But I don't want to think of negative ones.

Someone said the endings you go through are the beginnings you've been waiting for. I pray for God's guidance as I go through a fresh start. I hope things will be fine.

A Treat to (Hopefully) Calm My Senses

2011-11-13T17:32:00.002+08:00

I was trying my best to reserve my energy and was hoping to stay home since I had been so busy the past few days securing things for a new endeavor. But then, I found myself en route to SM Megamall today for the Sunday mass.

Part of my ritual is dropping by Gong Cha at the Atrium to buy their Gong Cha Milk Wintermelon Tea. I had missed this the past few weeks. I guess this is really one of their best sellers because it went unavailable during those two weeks that I frequented the store.

I have tried a few milk teas out there but unfortunately,it has this weird reaction in my digestive system. But with Gong Cha's Milk Win termelon Tea, my digestive system is well-behaved and my sweet tooth calms down as well. Maybe it's because the combination of the tea and the cream tastes heavenly. While the store also suggests adding pearls or coffee jelly to their drinks, I prefer my own to be as it is. For me, it tastes great even without the extras.

Race of the Stickers and Stamps

2011-11-10T19:16:00.000+08:00

Another year's soon coming to completion. And what more do some people anticipate when another year opens? Planners. Some friends and people I know had started collecting stickers for the 2012 Starbucks planner. While I am a planner person, I actually prefer the usual bookstore-bought journals ( I even saw stylish planners in Fully Booked-Eastwood this week).

When I dropped by The Coffee Bean in Eastwood Citywalk this morning to grab an iced Moroccan mint, I was offered this mini booklet for their 2012 giving journal. Now, I really am not planning (yet) about availing their planner especially since the price of their beverages had increased. the drink I ordered costs PhP140 now when it was only PhP135 when I was still working in a nearby office (and I only left a month ago. But compared to Starbucks, you'll just have to purchase 18 drinks from Coffee Bean (to complete the 18 stamps for the planner) and the other thing is, they don't specifically oblige you to order a particular drink so the choice of what to buy is really yours.

What further caught my interest was when the cashier, Sheryl informed me that I don't just get their planner for free, I also get to help send someone to school.

I'm still thinking about it. The price still is expensive for a planner but then, I get to participate in a worthwhile endeavor as well. I really need to think, think, think.

Bring Out the Christmas Decors!

2011-11-08T16:47:00.000+08:00

I know Christmas is still 46 days away. Here at home, we were given advance notice not to put up the decorations yet as one of my aunts in Canada will be coming home for the holidays with I guess a box full of Christmas stuff. But it looks like we can't really stop ourselves from inviting the Yuletide breeze in.

And so, despite the warning, our house is now adorned with these:

Outside our house...

Outside grandma's house, they have lights too! Gaya-gaya lang!

If you think Farmville is the only place for a topiary, I have one at home too, plus three Christmas trees!

I still want to add few more pieces to what mom had already arranged. I'm thinking of putting white poinsettias since it looks like our unit's motiff is a white Christmas. Either way, maybe gold would be nice as well.

Impromptu Wish List

2011-11-07T17:55:00.001+08:00

Kyowa Blender (SM Appliance Center), Black leather bag (SM Department Store), Kara Nina make-up bag (SM Department Store), The Choice and Reader's Digest (National Bookstore)

I used to create a wish list a week or so before my birthday. But for this year, I decided to forgo with it and just be spontaneous (but still not becoming a huge shopaholic, so nothing to worry).

And so on my big day, I practically bought the things I so wanted (but I know I need as well). The justification for the items pictured above are as follows:

The blender. I am addicted to the show Junior Master Chef lately. And being 27 and thinking about getting married eventually, I just know (and it's important) I have to hone those kitchen skills so I started investing on kitchen gadgets. Now I can make those smoothies that I used to spend much on even if I am at home, minus hurting my pocket.

A black leather bag. Since the beige leather that my aunt from Canada gave me had started showing signs of irrevocable (read: irrepairable) resignation, I decided raid SM's shelves for replacement. Originally, I was thinking of buying a leather doctor's bag just so I won't need to lug a huge one whenever I go out but I purchased this black shoulder bag instead since it's spacious and it could fit my netbook as well.

A cosmetic bag. Make- up has been a staple item in my bag for a long time now. It's among the things I invested to as well. This make-up tote bag from Kara Nina is enough to hold my beauty essentials plus it will save me time from looking for the items in my bag. Not to mention given the red, white and green prints, it looks Christmas-y too.

This month's issue of Reader's Digest and a copy of The Choice by Nicholas Sparks. I am a bookworm so these items are part of my brain diet. I know in the previous post that I would like to own The Best of Me but I opted for another title the last minute. I'll probably have the other book some other time. By the way, I also got a back issue of Reader's Digest together with its new issue for PhP 160. It's like hitting two birds with one stone. What a steal indeed

I'm giddy with what I have got, seriously. How about you, what have you purchased recently? Drop me a note and let's talk about it here.

Thank You For Another Year

2011-11-06T10:48:00.003+08:00

Since I turned another year older, it's time again to respond to this year's list of people who didn't forget my special day. As weird as it seemed though, and I will not be afraid to confess, I forgot to sing Happy Birthday when the clock striked 12 yesterday morning. Instead, there were tears welling from my eyes; for what reason those tears were for, still I don't know.

I almost thought the celebration won't push through since I woke up feeling almost unwell yesterday morning. I thought asthma had recurred though I was telling myself to spare me from another bout at least for a day.

I spent half of the day at SM Megamall to look for some of the things in my simple wish list (it's actually an impromptu list and nothing complicated compared to how it was years back). I also dropped by the Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord's Adoration Chapel to say my prayers. Here at home, relatives mostly my aunt, uncle and cousin from mom's side came to visit.

I still can't believe that I am now on my late 20's.

To the following people who had remembered me on my big day, thank you for the greetings:

Friends: Jay J., Elizabeth C., Sir Matt M., Sig C., Henry L., Sir Loel M., Grace Q., Peto J., Joseph M., Ryan Vincent C., Cris R., Darlyn dC., Erika E., Medel P., Darcy R., Barbie Bell AC., Rochelle C.,

Former colleagues and friends from PowerOne Online: Scarlete FS., Fleur B., Mikhaela dL., Marco D., Mel B., Josua P.,

Former colleagues and friends from Yell Adworks: Jhaz P., Joncarlo S., Drew M., Jahz M., Lori C., Gary R., Alex C., Tin B.,

College friends and professors from URSA: Lyca PG., Abby TS., Ma'am Aireen M., Eric T., Sir Reigh A., Ma'am Waj C., Jemaima M., Joanne CV., Erzen R., Carlo T., Joemar A., Sir Reggie G., Toni M., and Diane R.,

Former bosses, editors and co-writers at MMLDC Highlights Ms. Angie T., and Ms. Kay A., Alex P., Jeff Z., Helen Grace B., Ms. Peng Y.,

It was a simple celebration nevertheless. Cheers. Three years more before the big 3-0!

photo from Google.

A Letter to a Stranger From The Birthday Girl

2011-11-05T00:00:00.008+08:00

Dear Stranger,

As I write this down, I just turned older by another year. Never in my wildest thought that this day would come and I’ll be writing this note for you as part of my birthday ritual this year.

Forgive me if these words will come from me but I don’t feel like celebrating my birthday anymore. Call it the irony of getting older but it’s among the reasons why. You see, I’m 27 now – obviously, I’m not getting any younger. Prior to writing this, at the back of my head, I would wish that the clock would tick ever so slowly just so the day won’t change easily.

In a way, this is one of those birthdays when I’d feel empty. Honestly, I don’t know why, but it was one thing I’ve been feeling lately. It’s like walking in the cold with both hands hiding in the pockets of my sweatshirt.

I will not hide it. For two birthdays, I have been wishing that someone like you would come along. When I was younger, I had planned that when I reach this age, I will get married. But I guess, life is really what happens to you when you’re busy making plans. Just when I thought I’d get married to a stranger in my past, things fizzled and I have to be alone.

I am alone until now.

Back then it felt okay. Before, I don’t find a deal about seeing happy couples walking hand in hand, seeing that twinkling eye that is enough to explain their happiness. But these days, especially in the past months, I just had these feelings as if feeling that way has been starting to feel a bit different.

It’s like longing. It’s as if looking at those people and saying I’m just fine has been starting to feel no longer okay anymore.

I remember someone say this: “come to think of it, if you chose to stay alone for the longest time after being left by someone, imagine how many Christmases and birthdays would go by lonely.”

I guess mine was both by chance and by choice. I will not hide that while I am hoping to meet someone like you, there still are inhibitions and fears that though are haunting me, I am trying so much to fight. It’s like me having to walk on a thin wire with a fear of that dizzying view of what’s below. It’s like jumping in an ocean but doubting to swim.

But these days, I would sometimes just find myself staring at those couples then wondering about when will these hands of mine have someone else’s to hold? That feeling of bear hugs and being in someone else’s arms and indulging in late-night conversations over coffee. I guess that more than these thoughts (and others wandering in my mind), I have this feeling that I hope I’d finally meet you.

Yes, I’ve been longing for someone like you to share those things with. I’m uncertain as to how many more lonely birthdays and holidays will pass my way but as I blow that candle on my birthday cake, I’d wish for that one day. For that day to come when our paths would cross and we’d tell’ each other, “finally, I get to meet you” and that we won't be strangers no more.

In For Some Laughter

2011-11-02T21:50:00.005+08:00

Among the things that I did after the one-week house arrest was to watch the movie The Unkabogable Praybeyt Benjamin. I have been raging to watch this film and upon feeling better, off I trooped to SM Megamall Cinema 9 with my friend Beth; my constant movie date.

The story revolves around Benjamin Santos (played by Vice Ganda), who was forced to to enlist and join the army in behalf of his ailing father and save his grandfather from the hands of the terrorists threatening to dominate the country.

All seems to be well, if not for one thing -- Benjamin is gay!

Of course, I won't tell you what happened next. And while it's prohibited (as much as possible) to asthmatics to engage in too much laughter, I had to give in and laugh to my heart's content. Nothing still beats Vice Ganda's punch lines.

As to the moral of the story, I guess I can share at least two: 1) Being gay doesn't mean you can't contribute, or even do a heroic deed (I'm just wondering what runs in the mind of people in the military if they watched this); and 2) The best way to uncover someone's well-kept secret is by having a bottle or two of beer.

2011 Birthday Ritual

2011-11-01T22:40:00.000+08:00

I can't hardly believe that it's already November again -- and that the day is approaching real fast. Now, it really sends a very weird feeling to me whenever this month comes along. Mainly because of two reasons: it's my birth month and getting older.

I started doing a birthday ritual few years ago (I am uncertain what my age was then, but I was already in my early 20's). Apart from blowing a candle on a birthday cake, I wait for the calendar date to change once the clock strikes 12 midnight, and I softly sing Happy Birthday to myself (if you're asking me why, I'll reveal that in a separate post). I also don't sleep immediately after.

There is also an additional ritual that I do on the last night before the date changes for my birthday. However, I just want to keep it a secret. The past few days, I have been thinking what to do for this year for the ritual. And after few nights thinking, I know now what to do.

But I'll need to organize the words. For now, I have to go to bed to be able to wake up early tomorrow and meet my movie date -- my friend Beth. Finally, after a week of being at home sick, I'll be going out to watch a movie.

This I Did on Hallow's Eve

2011-10-31T21:52:00.004+08:00

After five days of staying home to recuperate from an asthma attack, I was finally able to leave the house today. I should say I obliged myself to because there are errands to do. I really did not stay long outdoors, blame it to my hypochondriac attitude, with the pollution outdoors still bothering me, I decided to come home after two hours of being at the mall.

Tonight's the last night of October. While it's a tradition to watch those scary TV shows even do horror flick marathons, I decided to veer away from it. Instead, I just watched movie trailers last night from Dear John to Look Who's Talking -- that's what I was watching until one in the morning.

When I wake up tomorrow, it's going to be another month. And honestly, It makes me feel uneasy. And I cannot understand the reason behind it.

One Thing I'd Love For My Big Day

2011-10-29T23:02:00.005+08:00

If not for being sick, I would have been in Podium to check out an event. More specifically author Nicholas Sparks' book signing. I've been a fan of his after reading A Walk To Remember and watching The Notebook. But as luck would have it, I had to stay home lest my asthma won't go away.

Anyway, I had to be content watching his TV guesting-slash-interview with Boy Abunda on a late night news program. I like how Nicholas answered Boy Abunda's "Best Questions" (who would have thought a famous author actually loves Whitney Houston's I Will Always Love You.)

More to that, I was moved when he was asked about how will he write Dear God (in the case of his novel Dear John) rather than asking the question straight, he began with two words -- FORGIVE ME. And to be honest, I have yet to hear any writer or author begin their work with such.

And speaking of books, in time for my big day next week, it gave me an idea of what to put on thew wishlist. This:

Because I am a bookworm and I'm thinking of replenishing the little library, I want a copy of his new novel, The Best of Me. I have yet to finalize my plans for that day although I guess, it will just be a simple celebration.

Now, if only I'll get better the soonest, it will be the best thing ever.

Procrastinating

2011-10-25T20:25:00.004+08:00

It took me a few seconds to finally get that title out. Right now, I am going through a lot of adjustments, particularly concerning the household. I'll have to reorganize my own room since it's been converted literally to both a room/library/office (which means I will not be using my room for its sole purpose of sleep and sex). Papa had finally moved the internet connection here in my room this morning and I am slouched on the floor typing this entry. The decision was done last night after not much thought. It was all impromptu since someone has moved in to our home last night and she'll be here I guess for good.

And so, together with my plan of practicing some kitchen skills (which I am enjoying lately, thanks Junior Master Chef!) I'm doing some renovation of my space as well. I've been wanting to get my Acer Aspire One netbook its own laptop bag too. I have seen one at National Bookstore but likewise, I have not bought it yet.

Not to forget, I have been planning to pursue fiction writing again. I already have this piece written, title, content and all but the plot's a mess and so, I will have to reorganize it as well. I also have this movie I've been dying to watch but I'll have to wait for the release date.

Notes here and there of the things that need to be done appear handy just so to keep me posted.

I'm willing to do these things, I'll have to wait 'till my body cooperates. As of the moment, my body is acting under the weather again making me unable to do what I should and postpone doing them until further notice.

And so, pardon me if I feel lazy to update this blog -- at least for now.

How Do I Keep Myself Safe?

2011-10-22T19:31:00.002+08:00

In cyberspace that is.

Because a few days ago, I encountered three alarming cases of duplicated, Facebook accounts that had to be reported. Two of those were impostors of my friend Beth where it contained a lot of bogus information, from her gender to her affiliation. After helping her out on setting the privacy account of her profile and reports from friends, we were able to remove the fallacious account. But the poser was that persistent because a day after successfully defeating, Beth informed me of another one.

The other case was done to Frances, the author behind my favorite blog where a poser used the photo of her family and even claimed her husband and her baby to be that of the poser's own.

Of course, it gave me fears. Call me paranoid but I really got praning after those incidents. OC enough it prompted me to really check the privacy settings of my own Facebook profile. Now, I will be honest. I Google myself too and it is embarrassing regardless if I don't thankfully see obscene pictures of myself.

To keep myself (hopefully) safe from the identity-grabbing jerks out there, I follow these rules. I know that what I'm about to say has been mentioned but then, it really is better to be safe than sorry:

1) Keep personal information to yourself and your (trusted) friends.
2) Never accept friend requests from people you don't know. Regardless if you have common friends, if you don't know the sender personally or haven't met him or her yet, don't gamble.
3) If you can't keep your pictures private, limit your pictures to the decent ones. People might find your profile and your photos on search engines and admit it or not, it's not a good feeling when people feast on your alcohol-driven self through your pictures.
4) Turn public search off. This way, I get to control who views my profile or in this case, no one will be able to view me even if they search for my Facebook account on Google.

The internet as they always say is a big world. I agree with what broadcast journalist Howie Severino keeps on saying about their advocacy. Think before you click. Because what you post there for a minute will be visible and familiar to people for a lifetime.

The Case of Delayed Gifts

2011-10-21T18:18:00.002+08:00

My big day's about to come two weeks from now. I was supposed to write this days ago but since I've always been from home on mornings for three straight weeks, I had to postpone writing until today.

I was browsing the older entries I wrote about in the past and came about the post I made two years ago prior to turning 24. Well, it was only until two weeks back that I realized how those wishes just came to happen. Some of those aren't exactly what I wanted but then, consider these:

I asked for this at 24:

and got this at 26:

Might not be exactly the same. But it's still love, love, love!

On that blog entry, I wished for this:

And just months back, I anonymously received this at the office:

It's not as many as I wanted but it's still a rose -- and more inportantly, it's RED.

It's fun to think that wishes do come true for real. Wishes just like prayers that are delayed are not denied. It only takes four letters.

W-A-I-T.

I still haven't planned what to do for the big day. All I know is that it's going to fall on a weekend. And the gift that I wanted? It's finally here. Though I hope someone would give me a reinforcement to go with it.

Move over Martha Stewart, I'm almost there! :-)

Two Years, Nine Months

2011-10-18T21:27:00.000+08:00

That falls exactly on this day, and you may ask what was that for.

Well, that stands for the length of time when I got my freedom. The length of time as a single Yup, for the longest time, it's what I have always looked forward to when the 18th day of each month comes.

Each month. For 33 months. I have to admit that while the first few months were hard to face the pain just got fed up of me because for trying (hard) to ignore it, it fully subsided when I reached the second year. Back then, whenever this particular day arrives, it's a roller coaster of emotions running inside. Now, call it weird,but lately reaching this day is like a milestone.

Especially when that comes and I'd find myself dateless. That's like a clean slate.

Now, I know some of you may call me pathetic for what I've written. Some too, may say I'm kind of a sociopath but let me explain. My decision to stay single is not out of bitterness; to go solo happened first by chance and eventually, by choice. It was something I made out of my own will -- and probably one of the most difficult but the best decision I had made. I cannot remove friends from the picture who'd urge me every now and then to hop in and join the in a relationship bandwagon. Quoting the late Steve Jobs, "as with all the matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it".

I still believe that finding someone for everyone is a law of the universe. I know that there will come a point when I will eventually find one for me. On the topic of prolonging this state until January next year? Why not? I'm thinking of staying this way up to three years (at least :-p)

It Was Almost Perfect Then

2011-10-11T22:45:00.000+08:00

Quoting Snow Patrol from their song, Chasing Cars:

If I just lay here,
Would you lie with me
And just forget the world.

As short as that.

For I could no longer find the words to illustrate the present.

The Firestarter Makes it To Reader’s Digest Asia!

2011-10-07T20:47:00.003+08:00

Have you got your copy of Reader’s Digest Asia October 2011 issue?

No, it's not because of the Angry Birds craze!

No, it's not because of the Angry Birds craze! Photo from here

I just did! And I feel giddy about it.

I will go straight to the reason why this issue makes me squeal in giddy delight. And it’s because of this:

My friend, Jay Jaboneta and his brilliant project Zamboanga Funds for Little Kids graces this month’s Heroes page of Reader’s Digest Asia. Since Jay first announced his “debut” on RD few days short of his birthday last month, I have already looked forward to it. To the fact that I had been checking out National Bookstore branches as early as the third week of September.

Excited much, huh?

Now, back to the topic, this month’s Heroes story narrates how Jay, a fire starter as how he once defined himself in his FB profile, was able to positively utilize social media and put that into a worthwhile endeavor that is now helping kids in Zamboanga City and in Masbate as well. And for that achievement, he was even invited to the Facebook headquarters in California to share that idea with people from different parts of the world.

And if you think that was enough, the said effort made Jay one of the seven modern day Filipino heroes in the initiative Pitong Pinoy of Yahoo! Philippines.

How cool is that?

But nothing would be more awesome if you too could extend a helping hand. So, if you want to know more about the inspiring story of how someone was able to ignite change, and how you could possibly help and become fire starters, get your copy now or visit their Facebook page.

PS: Jay, if ever you get to read this one, don't worry about your pictures. It looked relevant to the article naman eh :-)

Goodbye, Mr. Jobs

2011-10-06T23:07:00.004+08:00

I am multitasking as of tonight, listening to the radio on my laptop, answering an email and writing this post.

All while reading the news about the death of Apple CEO Steve Jobs. Now, I don't own techie gadgets like a Mac Book or an iPad, I was able to experience at least the comfort of an iPod. And I would like to attest that his innovations had indeed changed the world. In my case, his invention saved my sanity at a time when I cannot get anywhere on a stormy, powerless mornings two years ago.

Steve Jobs's innovation through Apple had reinvented technology. It had made our lives easier but more to that, it saved us from the maladies of intellectual hunger and eventually, being foolish.

Steve Jobs had changed the way we live. You've contributed much to our lives and to our existence. You will surely be missed.

Thank you, Mr. Jobs.

Setting Things Aside

2011-10-04T14:31:00.003+08:00

It has been a week (well, almost) since I prematurely left work. It never really dawned on me at first but during the weekend, it started sinking in that Monday would be different. Yes, I was in the office last night but it was not for the whole eight hours but for only 10 to 15 minutes.

I still haven't told people I have left. At least not unless they asked.

And since Thursday last week, I had been finishing tasks that were left neglected for the past ten months that I was employed. Today, I threw up the bags to the washer and when mom asked what I was doing, I told her that I am washing the stuff and later on hide it in the closet.

Some things need rest, myself and as weird as it seems, even my things. Of course, at some extent, there was a tinge of pain pinching my heart as well.

But then likewise, goodbyes are necessary.

If there are positive effects that I left work, its saying bye-bye to the "unknown" subordinate that sent my goosebumps rising and Mama would no longer have to be worrying when I travel to work at night.

Last Night

2011-10-02T20:31:00.003+08:00

I was about to sleep a few minutes before midnight when I checked my mobile phone before dozing off and found this message from my best friend, Apple:

The message read:

"Lex, I'm teary. You didn't know how happy I was having you with me at work. I felt comfort when you're with me sa office."

I will be lying if I say I did not cry after reading that message. Apple and I had been together as friends for a decade now. We've been through a lot. She had seen me through those happy and tough times. She had been there with me during my struggles, including those moments when I was waiting for a tough decision on a certain event that in a way changed the course of what my life is at present. We were more than just mere confidants and friends.

Someone once said, a friend is either a brother or sister that God created but you never had. And I'd like to believe that while we treat each other as best friends, Apple is probably the [twin] sister I hoped to have.

Today while at the church (I'm back to the parish where I originally am from), it dawned on me. By tomorrow, Monday's going to be different. There's a feeling inside me that I find it hard to describe. Of course, given the personal concerns I have at present, I can't help but think about not being with Apple at work as well. Knowing that she too is going through a hard time, it's as simple as just being there to listen that I know I get to comfort her.

Apple, in case you get to drop by, I just want you to know that while I might not be physically around the four corners, I'm just a call and text away.

Good Morning, Green Visitor!

2011-09-30T10:52:00.004+08:00

This was what greeted me upon waking up this morning on my doorstep.

Aside from rainbows and dragonflies, this is one of those creatures I don't normally see nowadays.

And he's not a teeny, tiny grasshopper.

Last Day Thoughts

2011-09-29T03:52:00.004+08:00

As I type this down, it's already six minutes before four in the morning. You might be wondering how I managed to write down this entry at a time I should be on my desk doing a certain task.

Today officially marked my last day at work. I won't be divulging the whole story and just leave it as it is to myself (perhaps, I'd let my handy-dandy diary know everything). Funny but as of now, I am not feeling anything. Probably, it has not dawned on me yet that by tomorrow, things would start to be different again.

My colleagues were caught by surprise when I told them (I only informed four of them, actually) the news that it's my last day. One of them, J, asked me why I never wanted them to know. Well, primarily, that's because while goodbyes are necessary, it's a thing that's hard for me to do. As for the final cry, I did cry -- in the shoulders of my office mate GV as I told him to watch over and take care of my dear "neighbor" DML who's going to be among those who'll I miss (and miss badly at that) as well as those chitchats with him.

But maybe, the reason why there is absence of pain for leaving is the fact that part of me was looking at the bright side of things. You win some, you lose some. If I were to think of it, leaving would allow me to finally get some freedom. I will not hide that at times, I still want my old life back -- when I am awake at day and asleep at night. When I can watch local news on prime time TV instead of watching more of The Today Show and NBC Nightly on mornings.

At least, I now have enough time to de-clutter the mess and spend time immersing in the pages of the books I longed to and failed to read for so long.

Little stuff that I miss doing.

I know that in return to having my life back, I will have to temporarily say goodbye to tall Starbucks Mocha Frappucino during payday, the weekend trips to the mall and that pair of Charles and Keith? Sadly, it would have to wait.

A line of a certain song goes, "there's got to be a morning after". Part of me is a bit uncertain knowing that I have a bill to pay and prescriptions to fill and those about what's going to happen next but then, like how a priest once said in his homily, "do not worry about tomorrow. It will deal on its own. God will suffice."

Eight Things I Learned This Week

2011-09-25T22:38:00.003+08:00

Now this post will be the last for tonight. Just to relieve our minds off of that previously posted scary story (I don't want us sleeping with those frightening thoughts -- they're not the right way to dream land).

Here are the pieces of wisdom I realized this week:

1) Just when I thought that self hatred is more of an emotional problem, it is actually considered as a sin.

2) People keep secrets mainly for fear of being rejected and because they are scared of how people might react once it is revealed.

3) That aside from being chivalrous, my office mate also possesses such charming eyes.

4) More than entertainment, blogs could be a source of positive influence.

5) That Red Box in Eastwood is such a nice place to unwind and have fun after a week of work.

6) My team mates at work are also good singers.

7) There is always someone for everyone. That is the law of the universe.

8) When I thought I have enough, I actually have A LOT of the blessings to which I am thankful.

It's Scary -- And It's Not Halloween Yet

2011-09-25T21:26:00.002+08:00

I know. But there was this odd and kind of freaky thing that happened to me before the weekend ended.

Disclaimer: What you're about to read does not intend to scare you.

It happened in the office during the wee hours of Saturday morning, because there was a lengthy interval for my next call, I decided to just give myself a quick shut eye to give my peepers some rest. But given the fact that I just got three hours of sleep that morning, the quick shut eye became a ten-minute quick nap (don't worry. I don't sleep on the job and despite that, I still am able to quickly answer a call when it comes in and the phone rings). suddenly, I had to wake up because I felt a light tap on my knee (it felt as if someone really, as in physically did it). But when I opened my eyes, of course, no one could be hiding under my table. Thinking that it was only because I lacked sleep, I simply dismissed it and went on with what I do.

Then came minutes before 3AM when the second shut eye happened. Again, I don't have a call to attend to. But this time is what I really consider odd. While I was again on a quick nap, I found myself opening my eyes after feeling a shaking motion on my right shoulder as if someone was waking me up.

I looked around thinking that it was someone else ( a team mate or perhaps a supervisor) but I found no one walking within the bay where my space is located. At that point, I already started feeling my goosebumps rise.

Who or what could that probably be?

Creepy I know. And this was not the first time it happened. I remember almost a month back, my friend and her team mate was telling me that she saw and heard me attending to a call (even complimenting me about it) on my old workstation

What's odd was it happened on the night when I was not around because I was sick and can't report to work.

I only thought it was as simple as a doppelgänger as it has happened to some of us before. But upon hearing that from my friend's team mate, and now involved me, I will not hide it that it's kinda scary.

And Then There Were Punchlines

2011-09-23T10:57:00.004+08:00

Just when I thought I've had enough of that entry I posted days ago, it seemed that the funny part have not ended where I previously left it. Checking on this blog recently, I found out that there were nine people who thought of liking the shallow thought I wrote in there.

Then the other night I was sitting with my friends at work discussing my thoughts about arranged marriages in other cultures. I remember telling them that if I were entrusted by my family in an arranged marriage set-up, I will certainly disagree to my heart's content.

Out of the blue, my best friend Apple blurted out the following question:

"Eh, what if your parents arranged you to marry Diether Ocampo?"

Then there was split second silence before I finally picked what to say. Which was:

"If ever that happens, I'd rest my case and submit myself to what they want. I'll even tell them to push through with the wedding ASAP! (insert villainess laugh here)"

Talk about, like what Apple joking referred to before -- illusions, hahaha!

But most probably, it's also about best friends finishing each other's silly, shallow sentences. And seeing the bright side of things -- even conversations as simple as this.

Frozen on a Blissful Moment

2011-09-18T22:25:00.006+08:00

I guess this is how busyness has been taking its toll on me; I tend to forget dates if not occasions. While I remembered that today a former friend has been married for six years, I almost skipped on an event that I used to remember.

Today, I have been single for two years and seven months. Indeed time nowadays run really fast.

Now to the reason for this post, I shall be quoting (as an addition) lines from the poem Freeze This Blissful Moment by Filipino author B-Ann S. Echevarria to describe an event happened that days ago.

Freeze this blissful moment
And let good time stand still
As my beloved traverses my visual field
And my heart quickens with every step he fills.

Preserve this fleeting moment
And suspend the approaching second
As I alone, bestow on him a single look
No longer stolen or wreathed with shame or fear

And when at last he is out of sight
And vision has served its purpose well
Let me delight in the image he leaves behind
In one cherished corner of my mind.

As much as I want to divulge the story, I simply cannot; believing that at times, it pays to be silent. Yes, part of me was happy then but at the same time, I was totally uneasy. And I don't know why.

The author (in her poem) hoped that time would simply stop for her to savor that blissful moment with someone "special". As for me, while the moment I had was indeed blissful as I see it, I was the one who froze the whole time. I was not my normal self so to speak.

It was the longest 20 minutes or so that I had with a person that I just can't look into the eye.

Funny but while other people would probably want to trade places with me to feel that blissful moment, I on the other hand wanted to call that moment to a halt ASAP at the time it was happening.

Date Relic: The Song

2011-09-15T10:39:00.003+08:00

So, I was thinking of what to post again when all of a sudden this song just played out of the blue. Cheesy, I know! But if not for the person who kept playing this song at the office every morning, this post won't be here in the first place. Now, this one from Richard Marx and Donna Lewis never fails to bring me back to the time when I dated a former colleague, J almost eight months ago.

I first heard of this song from a wedding website (if I'm not mistaken, it was that of his brother's -- which I saw on Facebook). At the Beginning was a song used in the animated film Anastasia. While I still dream of bringing home Mickey Mouse, whenever I hear this song, it never failed to remind me of J; and that's despite he loves Broadway soundtracks than that of Disney's.

Lessons I Hope To Teach My Kids (If I'd Be Blessed With One -- Or Two)

2011-09-11T22:14:00.006+08:00

I was browsing through the files on my laptop tonight hoping to post at least one thought before I hit the sack or while waiting for my melatonin capsule to work. Right now, I just checked for what's been new in here and I got another surprise comment.

I thought of posting something about lessons. I just thought of tinkering them months about things I'd want to teach my (future) kids. As I write this entry, I am just two months shy from turning another year older. I am about to reach the age where most people settle down and start a family of their own and I won't be ashamed to admit that such thought had been crossing my mind too lately, once in a while.

So what are those bits and pieces I hope to pass on? Scroll down and take the plunge.

1. Not to worry about tomorrow; for it will deal on its own.

2. That the reason God created each and every brand new day is for you to redeem yourself from the mistake you made yesterday.

3. Fall in love with reading and books. For they're are the best companions you could ever have in times of solitude.

4. Crying is fine to express grief for it heals you. But if you let that overcome your being, it could kill you.

5. The first person you’d fall in love with doesn’t necessarily become the last. It hurts. But in reality, it rarely happens.

6. To behave as a lady (or as a man) whenever in public.

7. If you’re not involved in something, don’t try jumping into it.

8. Cherish and respect your parents.

9. Keep in mind the importance of marriage and if you could, opt to stay happily married.

10. Some things require deciding on your own. It might not always be right but when you made a wrong one, pull yourself up and learn from it.

11. Besides honesty, punctuality as well counts as the best policy.

12. Be nice to janitors, waiters and security guards.

13. Teflon pans and Scotch Brite scouring pads don’t mix.

14. Sometimes, when the situation calls it, saying no and surrendering is the only option. And there's no harm to give in to that -- especially if you know you've done your part, and your best.

15. That if all else fails, try PRAYER. For all things that are impossible to men, are possible with God.

Mom's finally calling me for bedtime. I still have journal to write to. Have a good night everyone.

Of Dreams And...Diether!

2011-09-10T17:03:00.007+08:00

For someone who often goes through stressful moments and is not really good at coping with it, sleep is the only sweet escape. Unfortunately, these days, I've been having issues with getting a restful slumber. Being able to complete a whole 8-9 hours snoozing rarely happens nowadays. I'd like to say I am sleep-deprived (if not sort of).

Now, I would only know if I have a restful slumber if I tend to have dreams in the REM stage (now, that's too psychological) regardless if I'd get to recall it or not. Funny but I was not supposed to write a post on this topic if not for this "ambitious" dream I had nights back. A dream I shared to my best friend Apple. Surprisingly, it's about a "not-so-ordinary" scene of a man in gray tuxedo coming to my house on a rainy night.

The guy happens to be him:

Exactly the same smile -- just like in my dream :-p

Crazy, right? As much as I'd like to hide the story as I feel kinda shy bout it but then, Apple mentioned about the whole thing in my Facebook status. And it left me beet red in the wee hours of the morning. But it's just fine. At least just for fun (although I'm wondering why of all people, it was Diether Ocampo who made a cameo appearance). There's actually an explanation to it however, I would need to browse on the piles of Cosmopolitan magazines in my library to find out.

An Author Visited My Blog

2011-09-04T06:58:00.005+08:00

I have been blogging about different topics that grab my interest for six years now. More than the usual cyberspace popularity that other people gain from blogging, my main purpose is to continue practicing the craft that I fell in love with. I do not really aim for fame because given the fact that there are so many blogs existing out there, mine could be just a crumb in the blogging population. Blogging for me really is for outlet of wordy expression and an outlet for relaxation.

So imagine my happiness every time I get to find a notice saying "a comment needs to be moderated" in my blog's dashboard. It never fails to bring me that giddy, happy feeling because it meant someone took time to read my shallow silliness and skim through my thoughts.

May it be a friend or even a complete stranger, their comments in my entries do matter (and when I do get the annoying comments, I just feel the feeling of annoyance and then just let go by deleting it -- no need to stress). Last Friday, while I was filled with excitement to type away my plans for the weekend, someone, girl who went to my pseudonym "annaviajera" left me a comment in my post about the book I previously read. After tracing through the link, I found out that the message actually came from one of the authors -- Ana Maria Villanueva-Lykes, who wrote the kilig story Sweet and Sour and the blogger behind the travel blog, Ana Viajera.

This was actually the fourth time someone I consider famous dropped by my blog so nice enough to leave me a note. Of course, I can't help but be excited and feel the kilig at the same time. For writers like me, just words of appreciation are enough to feel that what I wrote mattered -- at least in one way or the other. And I value that. Regardless of how long or short the comment was and may the comment be something good or perhaps otherwise.

Ms. Lykes, Thank you for the comment and for visiting my blog. I am honored to have someone like you as one of my visitors. I'm looking forward to reading Meeting at San Agustin from the book First Love.

Want to take a peak at Ana's blog? Click here.

A Date With History

2011-09-03T21:46:00.003+08:00

This was a long overdue post that was supposed to be part of the Occupied August series. But likewise, better late than never.

I have been spending weekends trooping to the SM Megamall on Sundays and almost three weeks back, I came across this program Ninoy, My Hero in line with the late senator Ninoy Aquino's 28th death anniversary. The event featured a photo and art exhibit (and by art, I mean the decent, interesting one) from the Samahang Kartunista ng Pilipinas. I also got to participate in writing on the freedom wall they placed to answer the question "Who is You Hero?"

It piqued my interest seeing the exhibit myself. I was caught in awe looking at the images and travelling back in time. I was born a year and two (or three) months after Ninoy's assassination; and by this exhibit, it served as a walk through history on how a hero was made.

I know that this could be that shallow but among the unexpected thing I get to experience attending this event was meeting the country's highest official, president Noynoy Aquino. Interestingly, while having a president in a public place like the mall could be of high security concern, and he had security escorts with him, the PSG guys are not your usual "hawi boys" (to foreign readers, hawi boys refer to security escorts who tend to shove people who would like to glance even get close to a famous personality at public gatherings) and the audience were well-behaved, surprisingly. And I just have to write that one here. After all, events like that don't happen everyday.

6 Things To Do on a Labor Day Weekend

2011-09-02T10:29:00.009+08:00

You read it right. As I write this, it's already a Friday morning. The studio peeps at work observed a long (Philippine) holiday weekend this week and come Monday, it's our turn -- to commemorate US Labor Day.

I'd like to think that this is fun! Celebrating two identical holidays only on different dates. I am a Filipino and had been residing in the Philippines all my life, so by default, Labor Day really is on May 1. But since I work for a foreign company, we observe US federal holidays so we'll be having Labor Day by Monday, September 5. I might not have a rest day for the first of May but I get to have it come Monday (plus, the May 1st holiday is paid! Win-win situation, eh!).

So, what do I have in mind in store for the long weekend?

Sleep- Being in a job where we're required to work odd hours, getting a restful slumber is an ultimate luxury. Enough said.

Read- I'll be curling in bed with two issues of Reader's Digest and the book First Love. I purchased the book almost a week ago after becoming hooked with Match Made and I want to devote time to savor each story in this second book. Oh, and lest before I forget, I received a wonderful surprise from one of the writers/ authors in the previous book. But that's reserved for another post. I'm also into reading articles from The Philippine Star. I've been following Francis Kong's Business Matters, but I never thought that lawyer and former senatorial candidate Adel Tamano is also a columnist for that broadsheet and he writes interesting pieces in his column too.

Write- I decided to try at hand again at writing short stories (that's the effect of Match Made for me). I have the title and the plot. I just need to organize the whole idea but I need time to work on the whole thing.

Blog, blog, blog- I know I've neglected this blog lately and I've got to update this over the weekend. Stories had been piling up and I'm excited to share them with you -- including that day when I personally met a famous Filipino "celebrity" in a public event.

Clean the Clutter- That includes from my room (which I clean on my own every weekend) and my inbox. I have to delete unnecessary letters and group the other ones according to their respective folders (wish me luck on this).

Visit a place - I haven't been to my alma mater for a long time and given some new, happy events happening to people I knew from my college years (specifically with my former teachers), I want to take time and see them for some bonding.

Weird but shopping is not part of the list. Right, probably, a little window shopping would do the trick.

I Should Resume Writing Soon

2011-08-29T12:24:00.007+08:00

Since I left my freelance writing job last year, I seem to have abandoned my first love -- writing. Except for this blog, which is sadly neglected lately, I don't get to write much about anything these days.

So, aside from books, to compensate the time that I am not immersed in writing, part of my monthly brain diet is getting a copy of Reader's Digest. Today, I brought a copy while I was with mom in the salon killing time while waiting for the hair cutting session. I told mom that aside from feeling good and having a wonderful time reading, RD pays for contributions (and by the word pay, it's in dollars). I love Reader's and the stories as well as the vocabulary challenge.

Mom told me that giving it a shot to contribute a story won't hurt. Writing has been an ideal stress buster and diversion method for me. I started writing a story since last week (just for creativity training and relaxation's sake) but in order for me to come up with an organized plot and an equally good ending, I will need to devote a time for it alone.

I better do it once I get to have a long weekend.

Looking Backward

2011-08-27T20:48:00.003+08:00

Because Facebook has this feature of retrieving old status posts in your wall, I got to check out one of these posts that I made last year. It's great to have something to look back to. Especially after having gone through a hectic week which almost left me on a wreck havoc of some sorts particularly the past two days, the signs showed up; especially with physical manifestations.

I've known myself to be anemic so it came by surprise when I found out that my blood pressure surged to 130/90 on Thursday night (it even went higher to 140/90 last night when I sought consultation in the office clinic). My office mates DL and GR had to ask me a lot of times if I was okay and I do appreciate that. My mom and my brother wanted me to take a leave from work for at least a day more but I cannot afford to be away that long adjustment wise. Thankfully things had started to be fine now.

I knew I needed to have a good amount of sleep too; and somehow, the rainy weather never fails to work its magic. Anyway, back to the post, it never escapes to leave a smile on my face. I guess, it's one of the senseful thoughts I posted so far.

I've got a short story to finish. I'll be signing off now. Goodnight everyone.

Occupied August: Birthdays

2011-08-22T12:55:00.006+08:00

Birthdays had been what's making most of our days this moth. But more than anything, I am looking forward to the big days of two special people in my life when August comes along. I guess I was lucky enough to have scored a job effective last year so I was able to give my parents treats for their birthdays.

The birthday boy...

and the birthday girl :-)

My parents were born just a year and a week apart. So, two weeks ago, Papa turned 60. Now, it's legal to say he's officially s senior citizen :-p While Mama on the other hand turned 59. I was lucky to have been allowed to be on leave for both occasions (having filed them three weeks in advance). I just allowed myself to sleep for four hours then off we went to Max's restaurant for their birthday dinner together with my brother and my two nephews.

The event went as planned. It was just a simple family dinner and some shopping for little stuff. My leave went to where it should (though with the second one, some office mates were wondering about my absence).

Happy Birthday Mama and Papa. Thank you for being such wonderful parents to me and to JR. I hope you'll both continue to age gracefully and would always be in the pink of health.

Occupied August: Hooked With a Book

2011-08-21T20:43:00.006+08:00

Just on the second day of August, I received another surprise. This time, it was one of my favorite stuff -- books that is.

I've been seeing this book Match Made by Cel Coscoluella and Faye Ilogon together with the other two books First Love and Heartbreak. I was hesitant about buying the book when I first saw it in bookstores last year thinking I might not like the stories and of course, because Heartbreak is too pessimistic-sounding. And I was trying to veer away from nega vibes.

But I got intrigued with Match Made's cover text. In the pursuit of love, you can actually catch something. And catch something indeed. For the book contains mostly some addicting stories. Some of the stories I particularly like include: Marie Aubrey Villaceran's Quality of Life, because it showed how a daughter showed the idea of unconditional, innocent love to a wife and mother who is already suspecting that her husband is womanizing.

Sweet and Sour by Ana Maria Villanueva- Lykes is a cute narration of how a simple form of tuksuhan could actually lead to a romantic relationship. In that case, the more you hate, the more you love could actually happen -- for real.

Cecile Lopez-Lilles got me addicted to her story, Lobster Diner that I have been reading the story the third time around. It's one story that could teach someone a thing about saying sentences at the right time; and how one uncoordinated question could ruin what's supposed to have been a happy ever after.

More than just invisibility, Invisibles of Ken Ishikawa just strengthened my hope that regardless of how bitter one's past is, there's someone meant to call your own.

And last but not the least, He's My Destiny by I.P Goze enlightened me at some point. Men aren't mind readers, cold shoulders don't work in any issue and that picking someone who loves you more than you love him or her always works -- to your favor. Another thing, always look on the brighter side, on why you decided and chose that person in the first place.

How about you, what's that one lesson the current book you read had taught you? Drop me a line. I want to now.

Occupied August

2011-08-21T20:03:00.004+08:00

Reading a mommy blog side by side an iced bevvy

Just this morning, I just realized that I am not blogging as often as I used to. I can give off anything except an apology. Given the kind of hectic schedule, admittedly, my energy is all drained once I get home from work in the morning. Normally, I am in bed by 10 am to doze off and recharge so I have to set aside blogging and do it during the weekends.

I was saving lots of stories to blog about as well. And while I was itching to blog while sipping that iced Moroccan mint but the Wi-Fi fluctuates (case in point, the photo above) every now and then and given the noise and the commotion from shopaholics, I couldn't really concentrate so I figured writing the entries at home.

I've got three stories to tell. And it's starting with the next post. Read on. :-)

Lookit What I Found!

2011-08-14T20:27:00.004+08:00

Despite how badly I wanted, I can't be a literal traveling nomad for now, given the things that I do. So, aside from books, I rely to Google Maps to virtually travel on a shoestring. And guess what found during a random online travel nights back:

See that object enclosed in the white oval? Google got the actual location of my residence covered! And that's the top view of my house.

Who would have thought, pasyal, pasyal has never been this interesting.

Is This What You Call Art?

2011-08-13T09:44:00.007+08:00

video from here

I might have been too occupied with my duties at work missing time to watch TV for quite some time. But thanks to the wonder of online newspapers, I still get to read papers, browse news channels and know what's going on on the outside world.

Part of what caught my attention the past few days was this news about a CCP exhibit of artist Mideo Cruz that has been ringing the bell for weeks now. Apparently an art show, this has earn lots of criticisms especially from the Catholic groups. The reason? The exhibit contained blasphemous works that irked a particular religious community.

Now, I too am following the news about this and to my horror, when I found out what the controversy was all about, I myself could not feel anything but a certain amount of disgust towards the artist and his obviously blasphemous works.

Imagine phallic objects on what is actually a sacred symbol of the Catholic faith if you think it's enough, wait until you see how the artist bastardized an image of Jesus by painting his face white and substituting the ears with that of Mickey Mouse's?

I don't see this as art. Instead, I'd rather tag this as a HUGE PIECE OF SHIT!

It makes me wonder is this the way ART is defined nowadays? Does blasphemy and bastardizing now equate beauty? My mom said too that this is not the way art was used to be defined. No one would see such scandalous works in the time of Fernando Amorsolo. Those people knew how to create art with decency. Suddenly this modern day artist just taints that definition.

And quoting a representative from CBCP, how would Mideo Cruz feel if those ears or those phallic objects were plastered in the face of someone close to him instead?

Now, I do have a brother who once got engaged to the arts. Thankfully, he still was on the correct frame of mind not to do things such as these; and none of us had ever reacted about how his work could spark a controversy; lest I'd give him a hard whack on the head.

I had this silent, screaming thought in my head. There are some artists who think and feel that they are superior; that they know a lot if not everything. Sorry to say this but whenever I read about or listen about this kind of news, I can't help but assume, this person might have sold his own soul to the devil. Or probably, he doesn't know God anymore. For no one in the right frame of mind would do such a ridiculous act like bastardizing what and who is actually treated as sacred by most people.

And they say it's just freedom of expression? I do believe freedom doesn't come in absoluto. It has its limits and having a decorum or rule to follow doesn't automatically mean censorship. I wonder why they are that OA feeling like they're always the aggrieved party. Maybe it's about time that a set of decorum would be observed in this kind of "profession".

Just like what an Inquirer reader said, "if you keep on arguing that it's for the sake of [art and] freedom of expression, better put that into practice -- in the comfort of your own home."

What a clever thought.

Not Just a Sunday Read

2011-08-08T08:27:00.009+08:00

It has been a long time since I really had a great time immersing in a novel. While I had Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go last March, I had to call it a halt from reading it after encountering this book, Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson.

I was not really fond of Patterson novels knowing that he is famous for thriller titles, particularly the Alex Cross series. But upon seeing this book's tagline and after reading the blurb (the novel's synopsis) and I guess being fascinated by the blue and white color of the cover, I decided to splurge on this book (incidentally, this was the first purchase I bought using my debit card :-p)

Anyway, Sunday's at Tiffany's is a story about a girl named Jane Margaux and her imaginary friend named Michael. It was an 82-chapter story that will take you to the streets of New York, the Broadway life, Nantucket and of course the diamonds of the famous jewelry chain, Tiffany's.

But most importantly, this book tells the story of how a child's imaginary friend would come back to the real world some twenty years after Michael left her. The book was somewhat like a modern-day Peter Pan (only that there is no Neverland mentioned anywhere, and minus the pirates) in a more romantic version. But of course, in order for you to know why I said, so, I encourage you to read the book.

I loved how this novel returned my curiosity. I was totally intrigued by its tagline which asks what if the imaginary friend is actually The One. Being someone who sort of believes in that "there's someone of everyone" thing, it really challenged my mind to think how an imaginary friend could be someone's destined person in reality. The book is really interesting as it's indeed a page-turner, for it took me just a week to finish the 82 chapters when it normally takes me forever to finish a book with my erratic schedule.

It was adapted into a movie (which I'm still searching on the Net as of the moment). I was able to get a copy of the trailer via YouTube and I must say that the movie could be as good as the book itself. Although I must say that reading the book is more exciting because of the suspense of what's going to happen next, which of course, you'll never know until you turn to the next page (or the next chapter) and savor each line.

I guess the attempt to finish the whole novel by hook or by crook was all worth it. Despite having read the book four months ago, I don't mind going through it again. I enjoyed painting pictures in my head about St. Regis and Nantucket -- or what a handsome man Michael looks like if he exists in real life.

Oh, and one thing more, I guess sometimes, believing in the impossible won't hurt. After all, there was a great ending from that seemingly-hard belief. Mr. Patterson's novel is a proof of it.

Photo from here.

Kilig-Filled Weekend

2011-07-31T00:40:00.011+08:00

I'm just dropping by for a quick post as it's past midnight. Just before the weekend (exactly two days before that) I received two cute surprises. Let the photos tell you what those are.

On Thursday night I found this:

Notice the red rose is the same as the template of this blog. Love it.

And on Friday, there was this sweet stuff hidden on my tumbler which I got to share with some of my office peeps:

While the note was left unnamed, I don't think it's going to be much of a big deal. After all, it happened to me in the past as well if you'd go to this post as well as this one.

Tipsy with happiness as Kristine puts it.

Here I am with my office mate Kristine who took all the photos and captured the "secretly deliriously happy" me while she's among the giddy ones (hahaha!).

Well, talk about happy things. I'd like to think mom was certainly right for saying that sometimes a little inspiration won't hurt. At least for motivation's sake.

Could It Be You

2011-07-24T20:11:00.006+08:00

Who caused me to feel these unusual signs

That began from that glance of your lovely eyes

Jerry Maguire may have caught her by hello

But to me, it’s that disarming glance that just did so.

Or could it be that way you pronounce my name

For unlike others, you don’t do the same

Is it the way how you express chivalry?

Wait. Probably, it’s just the way I see.

You don’t make me that deliriously happy

At least not just yet, that I could say

Though you cause me to be tickled pink

Each passing day.

And the pen that has rested for years

Had regained its force

To say these things, though hopefully

It won’t make matters worse.

Could it be you that caused me all these?

Yet, I’m glad I’m still at peace

Maybe it’s because I’m not yet into you

I'd rather wait for things to happen and hope you'd feel the same way too.

Saturday Night Love Quote

2011-07-23T22:43:00.009+08:00

Quoting my office mate and seatmate Neil Garde, who said that this quote aptly would describe me, I am capping my night with these wise words:

" We were given: Two hands to hold. Two legs to walk. Two eyes to see. Two ears to listen. But why only one heart? Because the other was given to someone else. For us to find."

Have a relaxing Saturday night everyone.

More Than Their Princess, I'm The Daughter

2011-07-23T22:26:00.003+08:00

Been through a worthy Saturday -- or should I say a week. For the past for days, Papa has been meeting me every morning to pick me from the office and drive me home. And there are times I cannot still believe that he's actually doing it for real; because lately he's been going back and forth to the ancestral residence in Quezon and I only see Papa for a week. Prior to this, he has been away for three weeks.

So it was like sort of bonding time that even if I am in an odd schedule at work, there still is time that I get to spend with Papa -- even if it meant just driving me home half asleep in the car.

And I don't mind waiting for him for like 30 minutes or so to arrive at the office's parking lot (though I feel uneasy waking him at 4:00 am to remind him about it).

But this morning, was different; because he picked me up -- together with Mama.

And I can't be more than any happier at that. Talk about precious mornings and worthwhile days.

Picking a Conscious Choice

2011-07-17T15:30:00.003+08:00

As I post this, I am inside a coffee shop, just like one of the chanarcters in Marla Miniano's novel, Table For Two.

Incidentally, I’m about to celebrate 30 months of being single in less than 24 hours.

30 months. That’s exactly two and a half years.

Lately, I have been receiving a bunch of different comments from people. Not the offending kind but rather the wake-up call type. Months after my best friend from grade school got married, she said I should already be in a new relationship especially since my friends and former batch mates are now either in a relationship, if not hitched to their respective partners. A colleague at work even commented just recently that given my age, I should have started building a family of my own.

And it’s not today that I receive comments like that. I tend to encounter those things daily.

Not about giving in to peer pressure but to be honest, there too are times that I think they are in a way right. There are times I would suddenly think of it and I’d tell myself, this hiatus from not being in a relationship is long (if not too long) enough. A week ago, I remember talking to another best friend over breakfast about my plans. This pause had been that lengthy and even then, there had been moments that I would just tell myself that maybe, I won’t enter a relationship and get married anymore; thinking that I’m not destined for it. I’d say I would just be a spinster for the remaining years of my life and take care of my parents. After all, they are getting older, and anyway, there’s no problem with me being alone.

It also came to a point that I’d think that maybe, I’ll just give in to my former thought of entering the convent. Thing is, my family is against it and I understand where their objection is coming from.

There too were times I would feel that a worthy relationship that would lead to marriage is something I hope to have. I knew that I deserve for that too. And to be honest, lately, it was something that I was praying for. Especially when my best friend told me that she is seeing me get married in the future. She said that I too need to move on after that failed relationship that lasted half a decade. Don’t get me wrong. It’s not that I can’t let go. I am doing perfectly fine with my current status. However, right now, there is one conviction that I fully believe in:

Love is not a feeling. It is a conscious choice.

I know that I could eventually fall for someone in the near future. I am not closing my doors to the possibility. But then, I want to take things one step at a time. Most people take the definition of love based on what they feel. But from my end, I want something realistic and not confined in rose colored glasses of illusions. I want to make a decision based on that conscious choice – that when this person comes, into my life, I would be able to accept him for what he truly is; regardless of his physique, his intellect, even his religious beliefs -- whether he is a Christian, Catholic, Agnostic or Muslim (after all, I might have my own negotiable list but it’s the personality that’s what’s important to me now).

Regardless if he is just the Mr. 80 percent of what I really want.

Some things are worth the wait. It’s another thing that I do believe in. The way I see it, conscious choices entail acceptance. I know that once I get to learn and to accept someone without the need for me to modify his being, I can definitely say that this really is love – because I went to defy some of its oddities yet I still went on to decide to pick the option of creating a wary choice instead of dwelling on feelings alone.

It will make love all more worth the wait -- at least for me.

Decoding a Dream

2011-07-04T20:04:00.005+08:00

A few nights ago, I had this seemingly ordinary dream that I suppose I got out of exhaustion. And likewise, it was a dream that I could vividly recall. However, it was one thing that only my office mate Tin knew of. And this is going to be the first time I'll be writing about that, a week after it happened.

In that dream, I found myself in a simple set-up. I was in a simple garden as if fidgety looking and waiting for someone. Out of the blue, someone from behind spoke to me. When I turned my back to know who the person was, I saw J saying these words in front of me:

"O, di ba nag-usap na tayo? We're going out on a date. Pero not in jeans, sneakers and t-shirt. Dapat naka-dress ka."

I find it funny. While he told me not to wear jeans, shirt and sneakers, he was wearing them. The next thing I knew was I saw the two of us walking hand-in-hand in what I knew was a forest park. I knew the place well because I've been to that venue before -- when I was in sixth grade.

It was out of my plan to search for the meaning of that dream. But at one point, I decided to give it a try. And this was what I found:

click to view image or view it here

Now, among the three words mentioned, I would rather focus on the word connection. I will not deny that there could be affection on my part towards J as I've had a huge crush on him even when we first met two years ago. I won't deny that. But rather than the other description, I guess with the word connection is more apt and appropriate. I am connected to him intellect-wise, (or probably with our equal interest for some activities) in some ways. From as simple as enjoying a friendly past time of trivia games to lengthy, interesting conversations that we get to expound, for me it's the best perspective of what that dream meant and how it is in reality.

This Fetish Has to Stop ASAP

2011-07-04T18:34:00.005+08:00

Since it has come to my attention that I currently have in my possession 14 pairs of shoes (it's actually 15 since I bought another pair yesterday to wear during business casual Mondays), I am starting to be alarmed by it. While a good pair of shoes is a must given that I need to walk and walk for some meters in and out of the office daily, it had dawned on me that this is in the borderline -- and therefore has to stop.

Although I don't own the most expensive brands, I don't want to be a mimeographed version of Imelda Marcos either. So today I told my mom one thing:

No more shoe shopping effective next payday.

Letting Go Lessons

2011-06-26T20:02:00.004+08:00

Today, I decided to go and watch the movie Forever and A Day. I have heard from other people that the movie’s theme was somewhat similar to another Hollywood flick. Well, it actually was. But then I still went on watching it.

The amount of tears are still same too. I can’t help but cry in the latter part of the story (thankfully, I was alone when I saw the film). The intensity and the drama was almost the same as that of a foreign film, though from the start, I was hoping that KC’s character would defy the odds in the end.

Anyway, I won’t be putting on any spoilers. But the said movie would teach someone lessons about acceptance and letting go. For I had my share of that. Right after the movie, at the back of my head, are realizations with both my past and present situation. I can totally understand Sam Milby’s portrayal in the film and his character filled with fear and confusion; one who is totally exhausting all means to make amends and get all the possible ways just to keep someone alive when the latter has fully accepted the resolve that she cannot be saved.

I was like that. I cannot say how many times but I know I used to and probably, I still am. I was afraid to let go. I thought I can’t bear the feeling of being left alone thus I kept hanging on even if it meant utter confusion and the difficulty – when the resolve should have been losing the grip and letting go.

I will not hide it that even now, despite the situation is different, there are times I’d feel afraid. Yes, I’d want to fall for someone but there is an extent that I am still afraid – to be hurt, to be fooled, to fail. But then it’s part of the deal. But I guess that’s why love is called a leap of faith – because you need to take the risk, you need to take that leapfor you won’t know what might be the outcome unless you’d be that brave to try. And sometimes, when you already had enough, there is a point where you should let go. A point where you will have to fully surrender.

Which reminded me of the response written by one of my friends, Jam in my old Facebook status:

"Hindi masamang sumuko sa mga bagay na hindi mo kayang kontrolin."

Sometimes when people themselves had exhausted all their means and decides that they've had enough, you need to respect their wishes; for you won’t have everything in life no matter how (badly) you want it.

But just before you hit the theater and see the film, I advise you to bring loads of Kleenex as the movie's one huge tearjerker.

photo from here.

Flashback to the PressCon Season

2011-06-25T14:30:00.024+08:00

Little notes of hardwork and pride. This is how I found the description for the word "award". Ever since I joined my current company, these little notes during the R and R are one thing I look forward to next to having weekends off and of course, US federal holidays.

Back when I was still in the university, I also had these little treasures; notes that I still keep up to this day, and look into once in awhile. Just reminiscing how sweet it felt walking to accept those little tokens are enough for me to spell HAPPINESS in my own simple way. Not to mention, seeing how proud my former professor, Ma'am Cez was as she watched us walk and accept our certificates.

Today, in the early and stormy hours of Saturday morning, those memories of the presscon season came back on my mind as I accepted the little yet meaningful tokens of my hardwork in the office together with other office pals. I'm not really gunning for too much but this day, receiving one unexpected citation left me with an amount of disbelief. Yes, I was happy while quietly enjoying that wonderful feeling as I tried going back to the memory of the presscon season -- all complete with that wide, giddy smile on my face.

However, the memory has to be cut short as I felt all too awkward; because I caught a colleague's piercing glance and a really charming smile -- I was probably that stunned for I got to mumble nothing back but "what".

But that's another story.

Instinct Lessons

2011-06-19T20:41:00.003+08:00

I was at a doubt posting this but the thought is just like an itch that cannot be scratched and after two instances that sparked a very, very vital lesson, I am now writing them down here.

I have always been such a Doubting Thomas. Yes, if there could be a female version of that once doubting apostle, I guess I could be that one. I'd let either opportunities when I could have done something right pass.

I knew I could have succeeded in troubleshooting a technical glitch at work; a little voice has been humming at the back of my head to just tick that option but silly me, I was both doubting and afraid that I could screw the whole project if I did.

This was not the first time this has happened. When my office mate Neil, challenged me to follow my guts and give it a try, the advice of the voice worked.

Since that incident, I kept thinking. This is not the first time I missed something supposedly great. I had to think back again of that night in January when I was walking and talking with someone between Escriva and Guadix Drive in Ortigas. I knew that within that conversation, I could have just said what I felt because the time was right. But then I restrained myself from doing so, again because of these what ifs.

And I'm mindfully regretting of it until now. That I let that precious moment pass when I knew it's already there.

It all boiled down to this very important advice that I know I'll heed in the long run:

"Remember, that the voice that tells you you can't do anything is always lying."

Busy Bee Evidence

2011-06-18T16:40:00.005+08:00

Typing this down on a rainy Saturday afternoon. Mom is already urging me to hit the sack since I have not slept since I came from work this afternoon. While I am starting to feel the dizzy spell, I still want to spend some time doing things I love.

I've been darn busy the past few months. Thus, when I am home during the weekend, it's like a race against time to fit and do things within 48 hours. These days, my journal has long been neglected (but Bogs has a record of everything which I religiously try to do daily), it took me a week to finish the scrapbook which I could normally finish within a day or two and the books? well, they're piling up and are dying to be read.

Reading has been an indulgence for me for the longest time but lately, just like how my friend Ella puts it, with all our busy schedules, being able to finish a whole book is already an achievement. Of all the five books I have pictured above, I was only able to finish Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson.

I am trying -- hard to bring back something I love pages or at least a chapter at a time.

Sunday Updates

2011-06-06T09:42:00.004+08:00

I am taking a few minutes this Monday morning to update my blog. I have been on a different shift the past two weeks coming to the office at 11 at night until 8 in the morning and now's actually the third week.

But despite the hustle and bustle of a crazy work schedule,I still make it a point to do my Sunday obligations regardless of how busy or bone tired I am. Last week, I had to render rest day overtime coming in to the office on a Sunday to attend a 15-hour Adobe Photoshop training at Informatics Eastwood branch. Yes, it left me bone tired but I still went to do an adventure trip -- hailing a cab from Libis to Megamall to catch the 6:30 pm mass at the Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord (and I did it!)

Yesterday, I was on the said chapel again but this time at an earlier schedule. In all the masses that I have participated, I have heard about the book Straight From The Heart...A Prayer Companion. Now, while I still have books to finish (I haven't finished reading my two Chicken Soup for the Soul books as of this writing), I decided to get a copy of the said book of prayers for myself yesterday. And I don't know if it was a strange coincidence but I received communion yesterday from the book's author, Fr. Mar C. Ladra.

The book contained more than 50 prayers. I think I made the right choice to purchase that book as it contained some of my "favorite" prayers from the Serenity Prayer, Anima Christi and the 3 O'Clock Prayer -- the very first prayer that I was able to memorize when I was two years old. The book also features prayers to saints and a guide to the mysteries of the rosary, which I find really helpful because I would admit that I am not familiar with the new mystery anymore.

I am planning to purchase additional copies to give as a gift by the next time I return to the chapel and send them to relatives abroad. As for me, I guess, the book will not just be my prayer companion but my travel buddy too as I plan to bring it even to work.

(photo from here)

Reading Alexandra Potter

2011-05-23T09:10:00.005+08:00

Sitting next to my netbook are two things: a bag of popcorn and the book, Be Careful What You Wish For by British novelist Alexanrda Potter. It's been sitting on my bedside for nearly two weeks mainly because I don't have much time to read lately.

But now, I decided to devour on its pages given that my shift for work tonight will be at 11 pm and I am waiting for nine o'clock to chat with my aunts in Toronto. So right now, I am on an imaginary trip to London through the book while listening to Blackbird by the Beatles.

Imaginary trips to existing places. It's one of the things I like (or should I say love) about reading. I shall be posting another entry once I finish the book and that's (hopefully) in the near future.

For now, I'll make out most of the momentum by reading. I need to use it while it's here to consume.

Back To A Place From My Past

2011-05-21T11:41:00.010+08:00

Today, I started fulfilling my vow not to leave home for some weekend pasyal to catch up on things-- which includes writing an entry on this blog as well.

So I am still up and about as of this writing. Just like last week when our office went on an outing at Ocean Adventure located in Subic. Now, Subic is no longer a new place for me. I even call it a place from my past because I've been there before -- six years ago. The only difference though was that six years ago, I was in the area with someone else and I never set foot at Ocean Adventure itself compared to last week.

So, how did my first company outing go? Let these pictures tell ya!

Here, I am with my officemates Jhaz and Lori taken at past 5 am of Saturday. I should say these girls are that lucky because I guess they were able to get some sleep whereas, I actually didn't. Yeah. Call it being pent up by adrenalin for a reason but I hardly ever had sleep since Friday night until the day of the outing itself.

This is moi at 7 am still on the way to Subic. I look quite agitated because migraine had started setting in again and I was trying badly to fall asleep. I had to endure the throbbing pain in my head until lunch time.

We arrived past 9 am at Ocean Adventure. Here's the backpacker me with my officemates.

Ocean Adventure offered an environmental awareness show too. The photo above was among those "must see shows" that you should not miss when you visit. On the side, the narrator, who said his name was Olongapo Jones, reminds me of two people -- Kuya Kim Atienza (who I follow on Twitter) and the ex boyf :-p

One of the best attractions I've ever seen were the dolphins. Yep, it's not just my dear TL who got totally smitten by these adorable creatures because I did too. I was half squealing in my seat and at the back of my head, it feels like being a kid again.

The whole experience went well for me. I enjoyed watching the games (we've got our own version of Amazing Race) and of course, the beach. I won't hide it, if there's one thing I only look forward to during summer, it's the sea and the sand. Unfortunately it was also during that day at the beach, my allergies did not seem to miss the event too. But luckily, our nurse was that prompt and prepared to hand me a antihistamine to combat the reactions. Nevertheless, it did not cloud my sunshine.

How about you? What did you do for summer?

Monday Love

2011-05-09T11:13:00.007+08:00

While I'm about to start a new work week again tonight, let me just give four things I'm loving lately -- just to kick-off and start the week right!

I hear laughter in the rain...

As I type this down, it's a rainy day! And this has been the weather since yesterday due to a typhoon. No, don't take me wrong. I'm not happy because of the typhoon but because finally, there's rain; making days a little bit cool. After all, the past weeks had been that scorching (if not fiery) hot which makes it difficult for me because I have to wake up feeling sticky and with migraine in the afternoon which kind of hampers work (yes, just unnoticed). I just hope that with this rain pouring down, PAGASA would eventually declare the start of the wet season. And I could hopefully sing Laughter in the Rain :-)

I'm also loving my newest beauty loot, Calgon in Marshmallow which I received from my balikbayan relatives. I've been inlove with the brand (second to Victoria's Secret) after getting the first Calgon Cool Sun shower body mist two years ago. Who would have thought that marshmallow could be more than just a kiddie treat! I'm loving the whole set from the lotion, body mist to the bubble bath. Even mom had started sharing the delight with me. The scent is really great, I tell you. Enough to give me such a good mood.

From Disneyland, Singapore to Pinas!

I've also been receiving little things from friends. I'm a huge sucker for abubots including keychains, that I have decided to collect them. My former boss and managing editor, Ms. Peng once noticed them when I placed them o my bag's zipper but since it cannot accommodate everything, I decided to keep them at home. Recently, I received another addition to my collection: bracletes from Boracay from my officemate Pearl and from Puerto Galera from my TL JC and a keychain from my brother's recent trip to Coron, Palawan.

Can't get enough of the bandwagon, eh!

And lest before I forget, after weeks of anticipation, I finally got the copy of OK! Philippines' May issue. I certainly agree with its editor-in-chief, Frances in her blog, Topaz Horizon about two things: 1) Patience is indeed a virtue (or in her version, a virgin) and 2: This month's issue is really a keeper -- collector's item, for real, indeed!

Hope your Monday's great, everyone!

A Poem For Mother's Day

2011-05-07T23:15:00.003+08:00

Tomorrow will be Mother's Day. I really don't have any special nor specific plan to do by tomorrow except I'll tag mom along for some weekend afternoon activity like how it's been the past months, grab a copy of OK! Philippines' May issue (another item I'll have for safe keeping) and read and learn Old English (read: British English that is) to prepare for some UK peeps visiting the office this week.

But in between those little items on my to do list, let me share with you a wonderful poem dedicated for mothers. I don't remember when I first encountered this poem but this piece Somebody's Mother by Mary Dow Brine sure makes me shed a tear just by painting images in my mind and reading the lines of this poem.

The woman was old and ragged and gray
And bent with the chill of the winter's day.
The street was wet with the recent snow,
And the woman's feet were aged and slow.

She stood at the crossing and waited long
Alone, uncared for, amid the throng
Of human beings who passed her by,
Nor heeded the glance of her anxious eye.

Down the street with laughter and shout.
Glad in the freedom of "school let out,"
Came the boys like a flock of sheep,
Hailing the snow piled white and deep.

Past the woman so old and gray
Hastened the children on their way,
Nor offered a helping hand to her,
So meek, so timid, afraid to stir,
Lest the carriage wheels or the horses' feet
Should crowd her down in the slippery street.

At last came one of the merry troop,
The gayest laddie of all the group;
He paused beside her and whispered low,
"I'll help you across if you wish to go."

Her aged hand on his strong young arm
She placed, and so, without hurt or harm,
He guided her trembling feet along,
Proud that his own were firm and strong.

Then back again to his friends he went,
His young heart happy and well content.
"She's somebody's mother, boys, you know,
For all she's aged and poor and slow;

"And I hope some fellow will lend a hand
To help my mother, you understand,
If ever she's poor and old and gray,
When her own dear boy is far away."

And "somebody's mother" bowed low her head
In her home that night, and the prayer she said
Was, "God be kind to the noble boy
Who is somebody's son and pride and joy."

There are thoughts at the back of my head that I find it hard to verbally explain when I read this poem; probably me trying to figure out how things will be once my parents are older. I might be unable to know the answer. But as to that poem, if ever I do get to have kids of my own, I'll have to teach them this wonderful piece.

Royal Wedding Bandwagon

2011-04-30T22:37:00.007+08:00

The Royal Wedding between Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge seemed to have swept the entire world by storm. I was able to watch a few scenes of the said event on TV yesterday; although I have comments to make regarding the said wedding of the century.

I was a bit disappointed with Catherine's dress. I admit I was expecting something to be as elegant as the late Princess Diana's gown but it wasn't even at par to it. It took months of speculation regarding who designed the dress, that eventually turned out to be the late Alexander McQueen's label (prior to the revelation, I was thinking of Vera Wang) but like what some fashion experts say, there wasn't anything McQueen in it. I'm no fashion guru so I cannot really comment so much. Yet, Catherine is stunning just like how any bride would. It's just that I find her gown so simple when I was expecting something glamorous.

Another was the ring. It was so evident that William struggled in putting the ring on the bride's finger and I wonder how and what Catherine felt. Now, if I would be a bride, I won't like my wedding band to be the wrong fit.

When it reached the part for the vow, I liked the part when Catherine expressed that she won't obey her husband. Now, while wedding promises are important, she was just that open and honest by her words. At least she knew that you should not really make a promise you won't intend to keep. And I see it to be that way. I admire her courage to break a rule once in a while.

If there is one thing I like about this wedding, it's seeing two people who are obviously filled with love. At a certain point, they're an epitome of the advice that you should marry out of love and not out of responsibility -- although being an heir to the throne is going to be a responsibility eventually. Their wedding is a far cry from that of Prince Charles and Princess Diana's. There was none of those "whatever love means" line. They're that matured to face the world as husband and wife and are prepared to face challenges together.

Many are hopeful that this marriage between a humble royalty to a sophisticated yet simple commoner would bring a big difference to the monarchy. I see William and Catherine as an ideal pair, I should admit. And just like people out there, I also hope that their marriage would be a divorce-less, lasting union and that it's really the start of a happy ever after.

Fishball Perceptions Moves to A New Home

2011-04-30T21:25:00.004+08:00

Watch out for the big switch soon!

That is because Friendster has already started notifying their subscribers that they are doing a big revamp on their site. Upon hearing this, I got more concerned of moving my blog entries rather than having my profile kept for their new format.

You see, Friendster hosted my first blog entry when I started joining the blogging bandwagon five years ago. And prior to having Zone of Solitude, Fishball Perceptions housed my thoughts about life and the world. And erasing five year's worth of memories sure isn't that easy.

So, please pardon me if I will be going on a temporary hiatus as I'll be doing a little "house hunting" for this blog. Housewarming will follow next and that I promise.

Discovering Places This Holy Week

2011-04-22T11:11:00.009+08:00

One of the things that immediately came to my head as I finalized the papers for my approved two-day leave for Holy Week was going to the traditional Visita Iglesia with some family members including Tita Vinda who was home for a vacay and initiated the plan for this once a year church trip. We drafter the churches to visit as soon as I arrived from work Thursday morning and upon informing them that I won't need to come in to work until Friday night.

This year, I visited the usual churches and chapels including the St. Gabriel the Archangel Chapel and the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Binangonan (not pictured) and the parish church in my hometown which I haven't paid a visit lately since I've been hearing Sunday mass at the Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord in SM Megamall.

St. Clement Parish Church. Photo from here.

Taking the unexpected surprise of having a time off from work, we particularly visited these churches last night:

Christ the King Parish Taytay, Rizal. Photo from here.

From what used to be a small church along Taytay National Road, Christ the King Parish is now in a more appropriate and spacious location just minutes from where it used to be situated. They now call this church a Church in the Sky because it's now on top of a hill overlooking a wonderful scenic view comparable to the hills of Antipolo.

St. John the Baptist Church, Taytay Rizal

There were two churches from Taytay that we visited and this was the second one. St. John the Baptist Church is at the town proper. This is actually the third time I visited this church, the same place where mom and dad got married 27 years ago.

Our Lady of Light Parish Cainta, Rizal Photo from here.

Next up was the Our Lady of Light Parish in Cainta. One thing I found out, this church is one of the oldest religious structures in the province. It also made me feel a bit giddy because I got to pay a visit to the church where a friend's sibling got married years ago. Oh, and this is my first time in this place too.

photo from here.

Our trip extended to Pasig area visiting San Antonio Abad Parish in Maybunga, Pasig and the one pictured above, the Sta. Clara de Montefalco Parish in C. Raymundo Avenue. It was also my first time to visit both churches but it was Sta. Clara de Montefalco that left mom and I really astounded. The interiors of the church was really breathtaking and wait until you see the altar. I thought Antipolo Cathedral and San Beda College's Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat have the best altar when it speaks of aesthetics, I can't help but let a deep, loud sigh seeing how beautiful their altar in that Pasig church was. It gave me an idea that if and when I get married, I'd want that to take place here. The church also features a huge statue of St. Claire situated in a wishing fountain -- and based on my experience, it was in this church I realized each wish still needs some effort. I advise you to drop by and give this church a visit and try for yourself to know why I said so.

What I Did For Maundy Thursday

2011-04-22T09:44:00.006+08:00

When it dawned on me that I will not be reporting for work yesterday night, given my approved leave at work, there were things I drafted impromptu aside from catching up Zzzzsss.

So what were they? Scroll down to know.

After getting enough sleep from the night shift, I spent an hour watching a documentary from GMA 7's Case Unclosed with the episode Lihim ng 1897 (Secrets of 1897). It tries to solve the mystery of Juan Luna and Andres Bonifacio's tragic deaths. Apparently, they say it was Emilio Aguinaldo who ordered to kill the two aforementioned heroes. Given the history geek that I am, it just replenished my mind. I remember back in highschool, this was mentioned to us by one of out tour guides that the reason why Aguinaldo lost a second term for presidency was because it became known that he was the culprit of Bonifacio's death.

Anyway, a couple of hours after being a couch potato, off we went to Jollibee to treat my nephew and niece together with my cousins and mom for dinner. I promised that to my niece earlier that morning after she tripped and scrapped her knees after running to see me when I came home from work.

After staying there for an hour or so, mom and I stopped by Watson's to get dad's prescriptions and there I met Siena, one of my classmates back when I was still in preschool. Funny but mom was amazed because we still remember each other (not just by names, mind you).

Once we all got home, we just made room for two to three hours of rest only to hit the road again. This time, for the Visita Iglesia which will be in my next post.

Photofinish

2011-04-22T01:46:00.002+08:00

As I type this down, I just arrived after the traditional Visita Iglesia tonight with some members of the family. You might be wondering how come I was able to attend or what am I doing in front of the computer blogging at the wee hours when I normally am at work.

Well, I actually got to avail of a paid leave for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. And what was miraculous there was I got it on the last minute. Just when I have already placed a resolve that I'd be working and it won't be a holiday for us.

I've got to catch some Zzzsss as it's almost 2 am. I think and know I used my first PTO day well. And I'll post that soon; hopefully tomorrow.